Start Where You Are: The Simple Power of Beginning When It Seems Impossible
Life can feel overwhelming when we’re contemplating change – whether big or small. The mountain of transformation can seem impossibly high, the path unclear, and our own doubts feel like insurmountable barriers. But what if the secret to profound personal change is simpler than we imagine? What if it can begin with just one step?
Meeting My Self: The Starting Point
My adventure of transformation has had many unique puzzle pieces, from spending time in a 10-day silent meditation retreat to learning to speak up about my needs. Another profound experience which I have shared with clients previously, started with something a bit more fundamental – honest self-reflection. I realised that to move forward or delve deeper in to my purpose, I needed to discover where I was within my whole life (not just my career which I was very focused on at the time).
This wasn’t about judgment. It was about reflecting honestly and discerning what needed tweaking within my inner and outer world. Where was I in my relationships? Professionally? Emotionally? Are there any habits and patterns that keep repeating in my life? What dreams had I put on the back-burner? What was stopping me from transforming my dreams in to reality?
The Power Within Self-Reflection
The clarity that came from that self-reflection exercise was a powerful catalyst for me to getting unstuck. By investing the time to pause and truly seeing my reality at the time, I started to remove the vagueness within my life. I committed to untangling from dissatisfaction and lack of clarity and moved my attention towards a clear starting point.
Back then, the following quote and question became my constant companion as I started my adventure –
“Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu and
Do you have the courage to look in the mirror and love what you see?
Over time, the following quote was added (amongst a few others) –
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” ~ Arthur Ashe.
These words and questions weren’t just nice sayings. They were practical mantras that guided my next first steps.
The Next First Step
My next first step was simple (but not easy). After gaining clarity about my current life situation, I chose one small, achievable action that would help me move me in the direction of my aspirations and my next step and so on. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about taking small achievable steps. Over time, what I started to remember was –
- Transformation didn’t require massive, intimidating leaps,
- Understanding my start point was important,
- Small, consistent actions create significant change, and
- Courage is often about doing the next conscious action, however small.
If you’re feeling stuck, start exactly where you are. Use the resources you have within and around you. Take that first, modest step. Your journey of a thousand miles begins right here, right now. What will your first step be?
Over to You…
Did this resonate with you? If so, feel free to share what resonated with you below. Or is it time to focus on your own life and take your first next step? If so, you can connect with me here or book a coaching or mentoring chat here.
If you are ready to take yourself on the adventure of getting to know yourself (your true Self), why not join the Toolkit? A place where I share tools, inspiration and ideas to live a courageous and openhearted life.