The Secret of Launching New Projects: Just Do One Thing
Writing a new book is hard. I put it off, and put it off, to the point that sometimes I start worrying about missing deadlines. But then something magical happens. The pressure gets so great that I force myself to sit down and start. I write one page. Then, the flood begins. It’s as if just writing one page – no matter how good or bad that page is – is the key. It primes the pump and the process begins.
Rarely a day goes by when I don’t meet someone else who wants to do something significant. Write a book or screenplay, produce a movie, launch a new business, go back to college, lose weight, get back in shape – whatever. The problem is, they can’t seem to get started.
I ask: Are you writing the book now?
They reply: Well no. I just don’t seem to have the time, or I just can’t get started.
My response? DO ONE THING. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be one thing. Write that first page, create the first design, sign up, join the gym – whatever the first step, just take it.
There’s something psychological and motivational about the power of the start. Make it small, make it ugly, make it rough – just make it.
What’s the one thing that gets you going on new projects?
This is one of those simple truths that’s hard even when you KNOW it. I’m working on a manuscript right now. Every day I’m stuck and can’t figure where to go. And I’ve accumulated 30,000 words by just starting. A few of them may actually be worthwhile. 🙂
I think it has something to do with trusting God for the next step. When we insist on seeing the entire path before beginning we never take the first step. But when we trust that He’ll show us what we need when we need it it’s easier to get going. Easier…not easy.
An approaching deadline does it for me every time… just like someone lit a torch under me. If no deadline is involved, then I make myself “just do it”. Sometime I’ll create a deadline for myself and make a challenge out of it.