The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks
into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.
- Mark Twain
The first words of anything I write are usually the hardest and most painstaking. I usually re-write the first sentence over and over again, holding down the backspace until the page is blank once again.
In most areas of my life I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants"/ "throw caution to the wind" kind of gal. I don't plan much, but once I get the the spark of an idea, I tackle it... almost immediately.
But when I begin the process of writing something new I seem to over-analyze, second guess, and become stuck in the fear that it isn't perfect from the start.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao Tzu
I remember when I came up with the idea of creating Granolaville. I had a vision, in my head of what it would look like, the kind of content we would share, and the importance of building a community of natural living, crunchy peeps, like myself. I spent 4 months designing the page you are looking at right now.
I tweaked colors schemes, layouts, heading names until I felt I had gotten it just right. Meanwhile, I couldn't put together one single post to save my life! My husband told me not to worry about the presentation--- if the content was good people would read it anyway.
I told him that's not how I rolled.
I needed to have a physical outline to get my creative juices flowing---an empty Word document just wasn't going to cut it. Once I got started creating content for Granolaville each post got easier and easier. But from time to time I still struggle with those first words.
Case in point: I told myself once school was back in session for my rambunctious boys, I would begin work on a project I am REALLY passionate about, and that I believe, will bring support and value to a lot of women.
But here is my issue...my brain won't let the words flow until I have a title for this currently unnamed work. The title of this series, for me, is like that first corner piece you use in a puzzle that frames the outer edge. Without it I'm just haplessly trying to fit together all the wrong middle pieces.
I'm SO ready to move forward with this project, now its just a matter of clearing my mind, taking a deep breath, and allowing the creativity to flow. I have to let go of my desire for perfection, choose a title (even if it IS temporary) and not use this one stumbling block as a reason to procrastinate.
To change ones life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly.
- William James
Life can be overwhelming. Juggling, what seems like, a million responsibilities. But, if we are able to just tackle one small piece of the puzzle, each day, before we know it we will be able to step back and look at the masterpiece we've created.
So get started! Begin that craft project you've been meaning to do, start that clean eating plan you've been meaning to follow, register for that class that will help you get your degree. It's the small steps lead to greatness!
Are you ready to get unstuck in whatever part of your life that's holding you back? Share your thoughts below.
Getting Started in Granolaville,
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