Do you want to finish what you start this year? Maybe you have made a New Year’s resolution and aren’t confident you can do it. Or maybe there are simply so many unanswered questions and doubts in front of you it’s becoming overwhelming.

Finishing is huge for our psyche. It gives us so much confidence that we think anything is possible. It releases pressure and tension when we finally reach our goal. Finishing creates momentum and catapults us forward to even greater things.

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Unfortunately, we don’t start at the finish and get those great rewards. We start our Journey at a more logical place – the start.

The start of anything can be a very confusing place to be. It’s exciting and scary all at the same time. And the start is always full of questions like…

Can I do this?

Where do I begin?

Do I have adequate knowledge for this?

Who out there can help me?

What if I mess up?

And perhaps the most paralyzing question of all – What will other people think?

It is interesting that our answers to these questions often stop us dead in our tracks. We don’t move beyond the initial stages of exploration because of Fear, uncertainty and doubt. Our dream is brought to a screeching halt before it ever begins.

But it doesn’t have to.

It’s not easy to push through these formidable questions and begin the pursuit of a dream. Fear is a powerful motivator for non-change. It feeds stagnation. We would rather sit still than face down our fears.

Start breakthroughs can happen though if you apply a few simple concepts. I’ve used or seen these at work multiple times in my life as I’ve started over. Hopefully, they will allow you to have a breakthrough and accomplish all you are setting out to do.

Be Courageous

I realize this sounds a little gung-ho-ish with a sprinkle of cheerleader thrown in. But you simply must find the courage to chase your dream.

Fear is a must-go. Fear will worm its way in all along the way, but it’s the worst at the beginning. If you can punch fear down in round one, it will be easier in rounds 4, 8 and 11 as the fight goes on.

Be courageous. Don’t give into fear. Determine in your mind, “YES, I want that thing!” Then go after it with abandon.

Related Content: An Apprentice Going For It With Courage (Joshua 1:9)

Develop a Plan

If courage is the emotion which jump starts our engine, a plan is the frame that provides it structure for the journey. You can’t just wing this dream of yours. It has many floating parts, with twists and turns along the way that will threaten to derail you.

Years ago when I started running, I was a complete novice. I was so excited though to cross the finish line of my first 5K. Something about finishing that race though made me realize that distance would not be enough to challenge me going forward.  I wanted the big ones, the half-marathon – maybe a full.

So I started researching. I found running training plans to follow from more experienced runners. Seeing the plan for how to get there helped ease my anxiety.  It gave me realistic hope that I could complete those distance races.

Two completed marathons later, I can say it would have been impossible without a plan to follow. I would have failed had I tried it on my own with no direction.

Commit to Learn

We don’t know everything at the start. How could we? Even with a well-designed plan, all the details will not be known at the beginning. These unknowns are frightening, especially those that will occur in areas we know nothing about and feel unable to fix.

Lack of knowledge is a start-buster.

You can take heart though, because the learning doesn’t have to occur all at once. It happens gradually, building on itself piece by piece. You will be able to tackle the problems that come in month six of the journey because of the knowledge gained in the months before that.

It’s like taking Algebra II after Algebra I. The concepts of the new class come easier because you’ve had the prerequisite training.

Learning will be key in completing the journey. If you can’t commit to learn, you might as well not start.

Ignore the Naysayers

I don’t react well to the chronic naysayers. I’ve learned over the years there will always be people to shout down your ideas and dreams.

“It’s too crazy” they’ll say.

“You don’t have the skill, connections, money, influence or whatever to make it happen.”

“Why don’t you just play it safe? After all, you’ve got a good thing going now.”

Refuse to listen to these people. They will only persuade, guilt and belittle you into not starting.

Instead, seek counsel from people who have experience in where you want to go. Take them to lunch and pick their brain. That’s what we did when my wife wanted to switch careers.

During that lunch, this professional detailed for my wife what it would be like to transition into a new career. She gave a thoughtful and objective analysis of the field, sharing its ups and downs. It bolstered my wife’s confidence that this crazy journey she was about to embark on might actually be rewarding. It was the best money we ever spent.

You need to connect with these type of people. They will help push you across the start line.

There is great value gained in seeing a dream through to the end. Finishing is awesome! But first, you will have to overcome the start. Get started today!

Leave a Comment Below: How do you get motivated to start a project or task? What is the toughest obstacle you had to overcome at your start? How do you say “No” to fear? Why do you think people shout down your dream?

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