The Power of Beginning

Today, I was having a hard time beginning—on this post (ironically about beginning), on a slide deck for a client meeting tomorrow, even on a text back to a friend. Nothing felt good enough to be sent out into the world and led me to ask the question presented by one of my favourite writers, Heather Havrilesky, “When did we stop starting?”

Havrilesky’s writing has a unique way of capturing the human experience in a raw and profound manner. Her writing often challenges us to think deeply about our fears, desires, and the unseen forces that hold us back.

In her piece "Begin", she reminds us to stop second-guessing and start creating, without waiting for approval or the perfect moment. She beautifully writes, "We can simply begin. What happened to starting without stopping, believing without second-guessing, diving off a tall cliff without mapping the trajectory of our fall in advance?"

Seth Godin echoes this sentiment, reminding us that the pursuit of perfection often leads to dissatisfaction. While perfection can guide us, it's unattainable, and we shouldn't let it stop us from doing what matters.

Sometimes, it’s hard to trust ourselves amidst the deafening sounds of self-doubt and societal expectations. But as Heather says, "You can trust your whims... they’re beautiful and weird... and following them is the fun of life."

Our job is to believe—and simply begin.

"When you believe, you shine. The world around you rises up and becomes more detailed, more colorful. You breathe deeper. Soft sounds around you take the shape of music. This world is all yours."

Want to read more? See below for the articles referenced in this post:

Heather Havrilesky:
Begin: https://lnkd.in/gBRbZtij
I Can’t Decide What I Truly Want: https://lnkd.in/gkcuqNXk

Seth Godin:
https://lnkd.in/gEc_9aev

And if you're feeling stuck waiting for the "perfect" moment to begin, please explore how we can work together to dive into a conversation and strategy focused on achieving meaningful outcomes.