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What Starts You Up?

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Since I’ve Burned The Ships and am Playing to Win, now it’s time to get this thing started!!

And, to set the mood, today’s post has a theme song (I highly recommend spinning this tune while you continue reading.): http://tinysong.com/7k4S

Lots of people have asked me how I get started or what starts me up or how I find a place to begin.  I so wish I had a magic somethin somethin that I could share for how I start, but I don’t.  What I do have are some tools that I use when I know I want to get something underway, but can’t quite figure out how.

I didn’t think up any of these, by the way. I read them, borrowed them and adapted them mostly from Julia Cameron, author of the Artist’s Way, and Anne LaMott, author of Bird by Bird – oh and of course my mentor, Martha Beck.

After I list the tools I use, I am REALLY hoping you will add to the list by sharing yours. This way there will be lots of ideas and something for everyone. :-)

Here we go:

Getting Started What Starts You Up?

1) I walk/exercise without listening to my ipod. This keeps me from tuning out or what is going on around me and I can pay attention. I notice things, people, color, texture – all kinds of things that engage my brain – that are numbed out if tunes are cranking in my ears.

2) I write something everyday. Sometimes it’s publishable, sometimes it’s not. Finding my true voice is a lot like peeling an onion and the only way I know to pull back the layers is to put my voice on paper everyday.

3) I try things. When I get an idea for something, I try it out in some small way. Maybe I ask some trusted colleagues about it, or I tweet about it or I write a blog post about it. Taking a small action on it keeps it from remaining in my head as “just another good idea”.

4) I ask myself this question (a LOT): “What is the smallest step I can take on this – so small that I know I can complete it without fail?”

5) I just start. I know that sounds simple, but I’m really good at getting ready to start, reading more about starting, gathering my “stuff”, etc. For me, these are just delay tactics to keep me from starting.

And at the end of the day, here’s the one thing I always try to remember: I don’t have to be certain to begin; I just have to begin.

So now it’s your turn (my favorite part!). How do you get yourself started?

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Related posts:

  1. Finding Your Voice
  2. Doing Stuff I Don’t Want To Do
  3. This Escaping Mediocrity Thing is Kind of Messy
  4. Your Corner of the World
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This entry was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am and is filed under Uncommon Business, Uncommon Lessons, Uncommon Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Mike Korner
    When I get stuck I often stop and think about the words of John Wooden (men's basketball coach for U.C.L.A. back when they were a dynasty), "Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do". Doing that seems to help me get moving again.
  • marydemingbarber
    Great post Sarah with some good tips that we can all use. I like to break big projects into small parts so I can see the progress I'm making along the way. It helps me get started and feel like I'm getting somewhere, even when you can't check the "finished" box.
  • I really never sat and thought about this before but that's probably because #5 is basically how I do things. I just jump in and get started and let everything else just fall into place (hopefully) !!
  • I'm trying to figure out what it is that I do to get started. I'm so goal oriented (and type A) that it doesn't take much to get me started. BUT, I do reward myself. I focus on one task at a time (I used to do three or four things at once) and I reward myself by allowing time on the social networks when I do finish it. It keeps me motivated and also helps me focus.
  • I've learned that I need to retreat within before I'm able to launch or start something new. I resource and information gather as best as I can, and then - I let it permeate and circulate within. Soon, I'll see something or hear lyrics to a song or something that will contain a message for me as to how and when I am best to move forward ~ and I will do so. Sarah, I love your catchphrase Escaping Mediocrity and finding you was a blessed synchronicity. I'm looking forward to the 30 Day Challenge ...
  • clare_dreamunlimited
    Hey Sarah! I so LOVE what you've been up to!! I will call soon! For me, I'm the queen of "brain dumps." I jot down anything and everything that is on my mind....without judgement. Some of it relates to getting the project or new idea off the ground...and some of it is totally unrelated, but taking up critical brain and energy space. That simple act of doing a brain dump does wonders for me!
  • Hey Sarah,

    I jump into action when something gets me riled up! So, I follow the "rile" wherever it takes me. Sometimes to an op-ed piece I write for the regional paper, or an essay I may submit to a magazine, or to the beginning of an investigation into something that doesn't "smell" right.

    Follow your gut ...

    Giulietta, Inspirational Rebel
  • Yoga does this for me. I found even today I was "in my head" for too long and my anxiety was spiraling out of control. BREATHING-this simple task-is something I forget to do to the point that I feel I will either hyper ventilate or pass out. BUT if I can just visualize my way to the mat. Well for me, it makes a world of difference.
  • Dang it! When I read a post and it says, "Finding my voice is a lot like Peeing On an Onion..." I know my first step to getting started is to get new contacts! However, I can't beat your tip to create a step that is so small "that I can COMPLETE it without failing." Starting is great. Finishing is even greater. Thanks so much for sharing.
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