That sounds rather like a computer program or something, doesn’t it? Get Started.
But rather, this is my gentle nudge to both you and I to get started on the things we know we need to do. Don’t let the size of the task – or even the desirability of said task – slow you from taking the next step forward.
I don’t know about you, but I find that I end up with multiple large or intimidating tasks. So then I pursue busy work instead of working on one task head on. For instance, I may need to get orders together for the shop. But instead of honing in on specifics and getting started, I flit around catching up bookwork, restocking inventory, and cleaning anything and everything.
The irony of it is that even though none of these tasks are bad or a waste of time, I have systems in place already that should be addressing them. Bookwork is on a schedule so that it is up to the minute twice a week – that’s pretty current. Restocking inventory is the duty of the one actively selling it. Cleaning is also on a schedule and should be being addressed on a weekly basis. True an area may get overlooked, or a spill may require an extra cleanup, but that should be within the skillset of whomever is working.
How To Get Started
So how do we quit rushing around and actually focus on what we need to accomplish? Self discipline is a good place to start. And perhaps a list. I’m not the best at taking the time to write a list. But I’ll tell you, when I do, I get things crossed off it! Typically each item gets accomplished, but honestly, I also evaluate the list to determine if each task is actually necessary.
I don’t mean to, but I find that I have a way of making some things more complicated than they need to be. I confess I didn’t realize this until I was delegating one of my tasks and had somebody suggest a simpler way to accomplish it. After getting over the slight embarrassment of being that person, I agreed that simplifying was definitely more efficient!
It is funny to say I still bring that memory with me. This has helped me grade other tasks that either I do or ask others to do. If I can eliminate extra steps or inefficient elements of it, I do. Other times, what others may see as inefficient is actually necessary, so we proceed accordingly.
All this to say, getting started may look different depending on what you are doing and what kind of help you have. If you have children or employees, learn to delegate. True this will take patience and training, but I promise it will pay off! Develop systems and routines and work them. Sometimes the hardest part of doing big tasks is simply to get started.
Start Where You Are
I don’t know about you, but depending on which tasks are looming in front of me, I can come up with 47 reasons to put off starting. I may not have all the details together yet or maybe I’m uncertain if everything will come together how I want it to. Uncertainty will wreck more plans than you can count.
We’re not called to know all things, we’re not God. But we have the advantage of being able to ask Him to guide our plans and our efforts. We don’t have to go it alone. Invite Him in and then get started!
The first step can be the most intimidating, but we don’t have to let it stop us. I once read that you can translate the feeling you get towards the unknown as one of two things: nervousness or excitement. Nervousness will have you feeling apprehensive and uncertain. Excitement, on the other hand, will have you feeling adventurous and energized! I loved that analogy. Rather than letting the fear of getting started loom over you, you can instead choose enthusiasm and adventure and get started!
You’ll Be Done Before You Know It
Though I do know it is not all cases, but it astonishes me how uncertainty can hold us back from the simplest things. If we’d just get it together and get started, we would be done before we know it!
I can’t help but think that the secret to accomplishing a lot in life to simply get started. Don’t think up excuses or reasons or questions or unknowns or any other thing that might hold you back. Be decisive and take action, and then course correct along the way. I once read that it is better to take action and completely change course along the way, then to get hung up as to whether or not to take action.
And isn’t this how faith works? We have to take the first step in faith that God will guide and provide? I have to remind myself of this all the time! I don’t remember an instance in the Bible where God’s people were told to wait until they had all the answers. But rather they were shown the bigger picture – conquer the land or leave Egypt or give the loaves and fishes – and then even though in the natural those things didn’t make sense, the simple act of getting started and obeying and having faith, led to an incredible result!
That’s the kind of faith I want to have. I want to see God do incredible things in my life and through what He has me do. And I don’t ever want to stifle His plans because of my hesitancy to get started. No matter how simple the task, may we remember Whom we serve!
Until Next Time!
Hope.