Take Your First Step - Start Today For Success

This episode is a look back at some of the best advice for being successful, and we focus on taking your first step. The best plans are still just plans until you execute them. Therefore, every project and goal must move from the planning to the implementation phase. Yes, thinking about your steps can be a step in itself. However, one must ensure that an action is progressing towards the goal, not simply marching in place.

Determine Your First Step

When you are unsure of how to proceed and struggle with writer’s block, work on an outline. Examine the problem and the solution or the starting point and the goal. The next step is to break down the “from A to B” into milestones or progress that will need to be made. This may include organizing thoughts, designing a solution, building a foundation, bringing in helpers, or other tasks you know need to be done. These low-hanging fruit tasks can give you things to do when you are struggling for specifics to make progress.

The Title Page

There is a joke about writers where they start their book with a title page and author line. While that may seem a trivial step, it is a first step. The smallest step can be critical to get us going. However, we do need to follow with a second step. An outline is an example. The author could write down some character names or key points they want to make. A product can start with a rough sketch or home page, or stream-of-consciousness items that are features or requirements can be a great momentum builder. Do not underestimate what this step can do for your motivation and ability to dive into that project or goal.