Choosing to Start: Why the Hardest Part Isn’t Doing, It’s Beginning
Doing the thing isn’t the hard part. It’s choosing to start.
For the past 7+ months, I’ve put a lot on the back burner—for obvious reasons. When your child has cancer, perspective shifts fast. Life, priorities, and energy all get rearranged overnight.
Now that Sloane has returned to school more consistently, I’ve found myself with a bit more time. On paper, that should feel like a gift. In reality, I’m facing the constant tension between my to-do list, my physical health, and the need for actual rest.
The First Step Is the Hardest Step
Today, I went for my first solo run in the neighborhood in two months. That might not sound like a long time, but for someone who finds peace and mental clarity through running, I was overdue.
And here’s the truth: it’s not the physical exertion that stops me.
It’s the mental part.
Choosing to put off the to-do list.
Choosing to begin.
You always have a choice. You either start, or you don’t.
Starting Is Where the Magic Happens
It doesn’t matter what “it” is:
Start the run, the walk, the workout.
Start the book, the course, the new job.
Start letting go of toxic relationships and building healthier ones.
Once you start—once you put on the shoes, roll out the yoga mat, grab a pen, step outside, or send the text—the hardest part is already done. Starting is the hardest part.
Takeaways: How to Make Starting Easier
Here are a few ways to tip the scales in your favor:
Break it into micro-steps. The first 5 minutes are enough to get started.
Ignore perfection. Starting doesn’t have to be flawless—it just has to happen.
Give yourself grace. Some days the first step is smaller than others, and that’s okay.
Celebrate momentum. Every start builds energy for the next step.
Choosing to Start in 2026
The point is simple: you have a choice. And that choice is yours.
In 2026, I hope you get out of your head. I hope you choose to start.
Because once you do, the rest becomes easier.
Strong doesn’t mean doing it alone.
If you’re looking for a keynote that strengthens resilience, leadership, and high-performing teams in hard seasons, let’s connect.