How to Start Again
Whether it is working out, blogging, baking, or any other activity you do routinely, once you stop doing that activity, not doing it becomes habit, doesn’t it?
I do a lot of content creating for my work, including writing articles like this one, creating videos, creating workout routines, designing new exercises, and the list goes on. Recently, because of a mix of reasons personal and professional reasons, my content creation slowed. Nope, let’s be honest. It ground to a halt!
I needed to get started again. And it reminded me how hard it can be to get going on something again. Even though I really like creating, I felt a bit stuck in the mud.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to know that EVERYONE deals with this.
So, how to start again?
My top tip? Just start. Well….if only it were that simple. But it really can be. First, you’ve got to figure out why you’re not ‘just starting’.
“Why am I feeling like this”, is a question I ask myself when I feel stuck. And NO! The answer is NOT that there is anything wrong with you. It is simply that something is in the way.
The top 4 things that are usually identified here when I have asked myself and others this question:
1) “I am overwhelmed and do not even know where to start”. Got it. That spot sucks. DON’T open your phone and start scrolling….the answer is NOT in your phone. Find the smallest step you can take and complete, and take it. That is the “just start” part. You’ve got to do something, but often we choose too big a step to begin which contributes to our overwhelm and stuckness. What is certain? You’ve GOT TO take action, so find a small step and take it.
2) Something else actually must take precedence. A massive deadline at work? A sick family member? That actually needs your attention and will likely delay your re-start. That’s ok. Give yourself grace, AND write down WHAT you want to do, and WHEN. As an example “I will start taking my morning walks at 6 am on Tuesday when my work project is done”. This is still a step forward with your goal but recognizes that while it isn’t possible today, it will be possible quite soon. Most importantly, you have made a commitment to yourself.
3) You need more information. If you wanted to start lifting weights for example, but you’ve never done that, perhaps you just need a little bit of guidance. There are unlimited resources at our fingertips to gather information. But remember, gathering information can only take us so far. Action is needed.
4) You just don’t want to. There are two possibilities here: a) you don’t want to AND you don’t actually have to. So don’t. Do you have “spring clean your windows” on your list, but you really don’t want to? Then don’t. The world will not end if your windows aren’t clean. And b) the other possibility? You really do need to complete the task at hand. So, just start. Smaller steps, gather more information. Whatever it may be, but you need to take action.
What did I miss? What is your trick for getting started? I’d love to hear! deanna@deannalangfordcoaching.com
Cheering you on!
Deanna