Do you have a big goal or dream that you haven’t gotten started on yet? Have you ever stopped yourself from going for something you wanted because you didn’t know enough, or thought you didn’t know how to be successful, or even worse, others around you thought it was a bad idea? If so, you’re not alone.
In an age of more information, better resources, and better living conditions than ever before, many of us are stopped by excuses and what-ifs – creating big barriers out of what are often actually just very small hurdles. “I don’t know how to do that,” “what if it doesn’t work out,” or “Other people have already done it” are examples of ways we stop ourselves. We need the next class, to do more research, or wait for that elusive day when we “have the time..”
I realize that it can be overwhelming to imagine starting a new career, or writing a book, or getting a college degree, or even finding a significant other. We may think we need to become someone else – someone better than we think we currently are – to pursue those big dreams.
My encouragement is to start NOW, even though you’re not ready – or don’t THINK you’re ready. You won’t ever be that new person until you start taking new action.
Sometimes I think about the early white settlers that crossed the Rocky Mountains on horseback and wagon train. Can you imagine starting on that journey? They often used all the money they had to buy what they needed. They knew they would endure hardship and maybe even death, yet they bravely took those first steps. They weren’t ready for what they would encounter, but they trusted that they would figure out a way. And day by day, they learned what they needed to learn, step after step after step.
Most of us aren’t risking our lives. Generally we’re not even risking much money – maybe just risking some pride or time. We have access to endless resources to teach or encourage us. For the committed adventurer, the time has never been better to pursue those dreams. The time has never been better to trust that you have everything you need to start the journey. You must believe that when you’re pursuing something that really matters to youthat you will find a way.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the brilliant German writer who lived in the early 1800’s said it best:
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Take Goethe’s sage advice. Begin it NOW, and be willing to start before you’re ready.
