What do you mean just get started?

 It is a new year, and like many of you, I have spent time reflecting on how I want 2022 to be different for me than 2021 was.

One of the biggest things that came to me was to build better habits in addition to creating goals for things I want to accomplish, one of which was to write every day, so I can become a better writer.

We really need to get rid of the phrase "just get started" because that is not what people are struggling with. It is not helpful at all and just makes people feel even more useless when they hear it. It is like telling someone to have a panic attack to "calm down". That is not the issue we are struggling with. The issue we are struggling with is, exactly what does that means and what do I do.

Just do it? No thanks, that again is not helpful. People are overwhelmed with choices and what they should do next and end up shutting down.

Just get started is one of those phrases that people like to say because it makes them feel empowered and be able to prove that they did something.

So what do you do instead?

Here are a few ideas.

1) Write down everything you want to do and rate each one on how you feel about it. Go after the one that you are most excited about.

2) If you pick one and you are unhappy, pick another one on that list. It is a sign that you are not ready to go after it. Pick one that makes you happy.

3) Do a google search on how to get started doing whatever you selected. There are a ton of options from podcasts to books on what you can do and how to get started.

4) Figure out what you need to get started and come up with a plan to get what you need. Do not tell yourself that you cannot do it because you are setting yourself up for failure by default.

5) Figure out what is the next step you need to make to get closer to your goals and go do it. Then after that figure out the next step. You do not need to have the entire path figured out, but you do need to move.