Sometimes one of the main barriers to action is not starting at all, because the goal or idea seems too big. So we procrastinate and put things off. We feel overwhelmed by the size of the vision we have or the amount of work it will take to reach where we want to be. This is of course a normal reaction but how can we re-frame our minds in order to overcome this issue? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Just start
It is important to realise that the perfect time to start something doesn't exist. There will never be a perfect time and there will always be a certain number of barriers in your way. The best thing to do is to just start on your path from where you are and learn from the lessons you gain along the way. I've mentioned Jordan Peterson on this blog before but it's worth mentioning him again as he suggests even doing the very minimum is better than nothing. For example, if you have had a goal of writing a book but can't seem to face the daunting task, then just write down the title or the first chapter title. If even this seems too much then just open a word document and then save it as your first step. The first step doesn't have to be big and to start in a small way is better that to not start at all.
2. Don't be afraid of failure
This leads on to the second point that a fear of failure is often the reason why we cannot start at all. We need to try and get over this fear as quickly as possible. You almost have to embrace failure and expect that you will have to fail many times on the path towards your goal. If you are exploring new territory then initially you will likely be bad at whatever it is you are doing. But this is natural. Failure is an opportunity for learning, so long as you take note of your mistakes and try and not repeat them, failure is all part of the journey and shouldn't be a reason we cannot start a project or a move towards a goal.
3. Try and not compare yourself to others too much
It is sometimes difficult not to compare yourself to others who have already achieved a level of success in the direction you are aiming towards. However, while it is good in some ways to compare yourself to others in order to gain inspiration and motivation, focusing too much on others will be detrimental to your mind-state. Everyone has different circumstances and hurdles in their way. Focus more on what you need to do to get to where you need to go.
4. Focus on what you can do today rather than what the end goal is - breaking down the task.
Moving on from comparing yourself to others, it is important to narrow your focus and hone in on the things that you are able to control. Instead of being obsessed with the ultimate goal, break down the goal into smaller achievable chunks and make those your 'mini goals'. Instead of aiming at something days, weeks, months or even years into the future, concentrate on what you can practically and legitimately do today in order to bring you a little closer. Make each day an opportunity and fill it with as much as you can so that you build a feedback loop of bite-sized, daily satisfaction. This will make it more likely for you to stick to your tasks and prevent the feeling of being overwhelmed and lessen the chance of procrastination.
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