The most difficult task to begin the journey to achieve our goals is to determine how to get started. Whether you're trying to clean your home, write a paper, or live a healthier lifestyle, the problem that needs to be addressed is figuring out how to tackle the goal. What do I personally do prior to getting started with a new endeavor? I plan and research as much as possible. I want to know everything, especially the minute details.
If you've seen my YouTube videos, one common theme I consistently mention is to always do your research. Why should you do your own research? The answer is quite simple. What I've learned throughout the years is that you can't rely on what everyone tells you to always be accurate or true. People have their own interpretations of what they hear and could relay information to you in a biased way. If I ever need to ask someone for their opinion on a topic, one technique I use is to ask several people the same question and gather their responses. I analyze the similarities and differences between the responses and act accordingly. I like to listen to different viewpoints on topics because it also helps me learn and gain a more comprehensive understanding of how people think.
To that end, I can say it takes a certain amount of skill and tactfulness to gather information without creating your own biased judgement; you need to be open and respectfully listen to what each person has to say without responding in a negative manner. For example, let's say you want to determine whether it's better to purchase a Ferrari or a Maserati and you decide to ask several different people. While asking people their opinions, you already have a bias toward owning a Maserati and are closed-minded to any comments in reference to a Ferrari. How do you think your research will go? If you're not willing to listen to people giving their honest opinions on why you should purchase a Ferrari, why would you bother doing the research in the first place? Be open-minded and ask questions without forming a biased opinion. Compile the information you gather and then create an opinion after you've heard responses from everyone. Removing the bias from your research will definitely prove to be beneficial in the long run.
When I started my weight loss journey in July 2012, I scoured the Internet for as much information as I possibly could find. I spent a majority of my time on Bodybuilding.com and read through multiple articles. I was like a sponge; I absorbed as much information as possible and did the best I could to comprehend what I was reading. I felt as though it was extremely important to be thorough as possible because I didn't want to fail on my quest to lose weight and I knew that I could potentially cause harm to my body if I wasn't paying close attention. On a side note, if your goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, I highly encourage you to work with your physician to determine the best method of addressing any health-related issues. Prior to the start of my weight loss journey, I had a physical conducted which included running several blood tests to determine my overall health and it provided me with a good starting point.
What Steps Should You Take to Get Started?
Think about the goal you want to achieve. What do you want to do?
Plan and research what you will need to do to arrive at your desired destination. Have you thought of what you will need to do?
Execute your plan and act accordingly. What are you waiting for?
Additional Tips to Help You on Your Way to Successfully Achieving Your Goal.
Make sure you keep your final outcome in mind and it will help you stay focused on what you want to achieve. If the goal seems too strenuous or you aren't sure how to get to where you want to go, break down the process into smaller steps. For example, say you have a goal to lose 30 pounds in 3 months. Initially, the goal may seem daunting and overwhelming especially if you focus on the 30 pounds you want to lose. If you change your thought process to breaking down the 30 pounds into increments of what you can do each month, week, or day, it will make things much easier and less overwhelming.
Write down your plan of action. How are you going to start anything if you don't have it written down somewhere? It's crucial to have your plan of action written down whether on paper or typed in a document. Being able to visually see what you want to achieve will help keep you focused.
Get started. The biggest area most people fail to focus on is executing the plan. Worrying about failing or wanting the situation to be perfect before you start are thoughts that will only set you up for failure and a cycle of procrastination. Nothing is ever really perfect and you'll probably never be exactly ready to start. I have two helpful words to make the process easier for you. Just start. That's it.