The First Step

Today is an anniversary of sorts for me. Three years ago today, I publicly launched Tomorrow's Edge after years of getting ready, talking about how I was someday going to do it, and researching everything but advertising! It was a huge first step in the middle of a bunch of first steps that I had taken up to that point. Naturally, it fell flat on it's face because of my lack of education in the marketing area. So, here I am three years later, better educated, dusted off, boot straps pulled up, repeating that first step. I take a deep breath, psyche myself up, wiggle my toes a bit, bend my knee, lift my foot, and sit back down with another cup of coffee?. Maybe in a minute or so.

Isn't it funny how that first step gets to us? I'm not even scared this time. Heck, I wasn't scared last time. It's the only career I've ever really wanted with any kind of passion and fire. Why is it we choke up when taking first steps towards those really big goals that we love so dearly? Ever notice that when it's something you don't give a rip about, the freeze never happens? We freeze up when taking that first step towards something special, because now we have something of importance to fail at. It's not the goal we're afraid of, it's the failing that scares us.

The key here is to start. So many people speak of a journey starting with a single step. It's true. However, even if you have quit and are picking it back up again, at least the first step this time is farther along then the last time you started. For some of us, every single step towards success is so terrifying that it is a first step. Every step along the way towards our goal is a challenge. Keep in mind that each step is closer than the last one was. If you could do yesterday's first step then surely you can do today's first step because it is farther down the path. If you stop and look back over your shoulder, you'll see that you've actually come quite a bit further than you'd realized. You will feel a greater sense of progress than you did yesterday.

It really doesn't matter who you are or what you are trying to accomplish or who might not approve or what your current standing in the community is or anything else. What matters is that you get past the inner dialog that tells you those things do matter. No excuses are really valid. Our excuses are our first steps. "I do not have the capitol to start a business." Then my first step is to get the capitol, rather than shelf the whole idea. "I do not know the first thing about building a house." Then my first step is to get training. "I do not know how to read music." Then my first step is to take a class. Make your excuses your first steps and watch your pride grow.

Remember to analyze each of those excuses like any other fear and make sure they are valid and worth becoming a step on your journey. It would be easy to get off track by taking care of your excuses instead of taking care of your dream. The point is to start taking action towards the life you have envisioned for yourself. "How is my attitude? Am I in charge or is my fear?"

What if you're scared to death of your next step and you want to step away from that fear? You just want a quiet moment to breathe without the fear. Did you step forward to breathe or did you step backwards? Did you sidestep? Remember this when stepping away from fear. Is the step away from fear also away from your dream? Is the step away from fear bringing you closer to your dream?

So many of us have been taught to dive in headfirst and attack our goals like we are some sort of mighty warrior gone to battle. We run full steam ahead without wisdom to temper our actions. This will usually cause problems later. Occasionally, I will get so excited about charging in to face my fears, that I will become almost manic in my attempt to push forward to the end. This almost always messes me up. I have learned to stop and relish the moment, say thanks for the opportunity to conquer fear, and then when I have calmed back down, I can continue making plans.

It really does help to pace ourselves so that we have the staying power to complete a long involved project. Too often we knock ourselves out trying to force it too fast and then we drop off exhausted. It does not feel good to continue at that pace and we will often quit rather than reevaluate our timetables and slow down. Creating the dream can be as fulfilling as seeing the end results. Do not cheat yourself out of the positive feelings that come from overcoming fear and doubt by racing through too fast.

So, here I sit with my thoughts remembering all the times I've failed at this. You know what's funny, in retrospect each event that appeared to be a failure was actually an amazing learning tool. I hate learning things that way!! Seriously though, I never really failed, I just became more and more educated, tempered, stronger, more self-confident, more defined, more focused, more streamlined, more global, more spiritual, more patient, and more harmonious with how it was all supposed to play out. I can see now why I had to go through those other first steps so that I could be here today in this moment taking this step. It's all exactly the way it should be. An infinite wisdom must have been at work somewhere behind the scenes. 'Thank you.' I'm ready now.

This article was adapted from a segment of Beyond the Inner-Critic by Skye Thomas, copyright 2003.

About The Author

Skye Thomas began writing books and articles with an everyday practical approach to spirituality, motivation, and inspiration in 1999 after twenty years of studying spirituality, metaphysics, motivation, and parenting. More of her articles can be found at www.tomorrowsedge.net as well as free previews of her books.

skye@tomorrowsedge.net

---

How to Get Motivated and Have Industrial Strength Self-Motivation

It is not your fault if popular self-help courses have... Read More

Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps

Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More

The Reason Nothing Happens - Is Because Nothing Is Happening!

I hear many clients declare how boring and stagnant their... Read More

The Solutions to Lifes 10 Biggest Problems!

Every day clients tell me about their problems, often in... Read More

Why are You Living?

It was 4,O'Clock in the morning, my regular time to... Read More

Choose Your Suffering - Be Willing to Pay the Price for Success!

One day when my friend Todd and I were having... Read More

How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps

If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More

Activity Versus Accomplishment

Each and every day, all of us continually search for... Read More

The True Cost Of A Lack of Motivation

And what a lack of motivation means..As you read this... Read More

Danger In The Comfort Zone

I don't know who said it or where I heard... Read More

7 Hot Tips for Self Improvement Part 1

Have you ever imagined that life could be a lot... Read More

Commit to Doing 80%

Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to... Read More

What Once Was - Ain?t No More

Rather than beat around the bush and try to lead... Read More

Motivation: 3 Suggestions for Living a Life of Purpose, On Purpose

"There's so many roads that seem, To lead down to... Read More

Ever Feel Like Your Elevator Is Stuck Between Floors?

What do you do when you make a big mistake?... Read More

Day Dream Believer

I am sure you, just like the rest of us,... Read More

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars... Read More

7 Tips For Lasting Motivation And Greater Success

Lasting motivation is possible once you adopt an outlook that... Read More

Living Outside the Lines of Normal and Reasonable

Elizabeth Tull is a Professional Excellence Coach who lives with... Read More

Self-Esteem: You Matter

You'd be surprised. Maybe amazed. If you could see the... Read More

The Best Day Of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is... Read More

The Missing Piece

Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More

Todays Trivia

I received an email today that said I could: "Make... Read More

7 SECRETS To A Great Life

A great life doesn't happen by accident. A great life... Read More

Are You a Self-Saboteur?

Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may... Read More

2 Simple Ways To Cure Procrastination

Curing procrastination is not necessarily about will power or forcefully... Read More

Procrastinator No More!

Procrastination is when ever we postpone a task or duty... Read More

How To Deal With Denial

Denial is a coping mechanism commonly used when something happens... Read More

Choosing Your Vision

There is a new television show, called Blind Justice that... Read More

Boost Your Bottom Line by Asking Powerful Questions

"He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers." -African ProverbPowerful... Read More

What Is Failing Forward?

What an absurd statement! Absurd or not, progress is not... Read More

Do You have a Dream?

Do you find yourself sitting at work longing to be... Read More

So What Is Your Real Motivation?

We are all guilty of wanting to change our circumstances,... Read More