The First Step of an 1000 Mile Journey

The title implies a quote I’m sure many of you have heard and are probably tired of.

Well here I am. I should have been here long, long ago. Starting is hard. Staying consistent is even harder. You know this.

It’s a struggle. You start, you wrestle, you stop. You start again, this time telling yourself you have better resolve, you go on for a few days, then you break the streak. You justify it. You say, “I’ll start fresh Monday.”

Then Monday rolls around and you’re back at it. You get the ball rolling for a week and then some event throws you off course again.

“Oh man, this is a terrible season to start,” you say. Kids have activities. You’re short on funds to buy the right food. You’re exhausted from work and would rather crash then do the work that will alleviate the crap situation you’re in.

New Years — that’s when I’ll start. In the meantime, you’re feeding your old habits until that “do or die” date, oblivious to the fact that you’re making it so much more difficult to break the cycle because of the negative subconscious programming your doing to your mind.

This cycle goes on for months, even years. Yeah, you bet — it can last a decade or more.

Sometimes you just sit and think, “Damn, I used to be on my game. I used to dominate. I had a killer drive. New opportunities? Sign me up.”

You remembered that you used to dream big and write down your goals. Your ambition was through the roof.

But not any more.

“It’s too late,” you say.

“I’m too old for this.”

“I’m past my prime.”

I’d like to make a suggestion for you. And I’m going to take this advice too because I’m in the same boat.

That inner voice of yours is a liar. It’s slowly killing you and laughing at how easily you can be manipulated.

Look in the mirror tonight. Take a good, long look.

Look into your eyes, past the surface and speak to the inner voice.

Don’t be gentle. Time is running out.

Simply say, “Fuck you, no more.”

Point at the mirror while you do it. It’s worth it.

YOU’RE WORTH IT.

No one’s going to carry you. No one’s going to hand you what you want. No one’s coming to the rescue.

Go ahead, say it again.

And now, join me. Take the first step into a new direction. Write. Learn. Grow.

Forget what has been. Life is moving. We’re going to pass away from this existence all too soon. Why continue to wallow in despair?

Play big.

Think big.

Give value.

Give more.

Then more.

Live.

Now go.

It’s time to take your first step.

It’ll be rough. It’ll be difficult. You’re going to want to quit and resort to old behavior and thought patterns. You’ll even slip from time to time. Be ok with it. But keep on the path.

It’s going to be a long journey, but it’s worth it.