What did you do to get started?

I get a couple of emails every week seeking information on how to move to the Caribbean, start a business, etc… But today in my inbox was a simple, yet extremely important inquiry, and it’s something that we all must deal with as entrepreneurs and risk takers.

The question: What did you do to get started?

Here is my reply:

“In all honesty, I just took a first step and kept going from there.

Sometimes it helps me to write down the goals I have  for a project or how I envision it will look. Then I tell someone, typically my wife, and by discussing it…your plan becomes real.

Next, sketch out on a piece of paper what you want the website to look like. Contact a designer and you are on your way. :-)”

Really, it’s about taking that first step! And it was summed up quite eloquently in Seth Godin’s post, Nothing:

The only thing worse than starting something and failing… is not starting something.

Quite honestly, that is the mantra that would run through my mind when thinking about whether or not I should start Train for Humanity. No doubt about it, fear of failure can bring nausea inducing feelings.

But think of the alternative – – Doing NOTHING.

For those of you who struggle with what other people will think, please read this quote from Mark Twain:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Now I ask you, how did you get started?

Have a terrific weekend and thank you for stopping by!

image source: wallyg

10 thoughts on “What did you do to get started?

  1. Hi Mark,

    Great post – simplicity wins again! I have, over the years, had too many ideas and wishes that I would plan to the death. Then never take that first step. Never. Then I would wonder why I was at a stand still.

    Finally, in January I presented and idea, researched it a bit and jumped in with both feet. Needless to say I have had some input from great people so far, have a testing team being setup and will be going into the beta test in a couple of weeks. From there, the project goes live and hopefully will impact and change many lives.

    Had I not taken that first step and starting DOING rather than just visualizing and planning, I would still be at a complete stand still.

    So how did I get started? I took one little step, and have been running ever since – and yes there will be hurdles to jump, obstacles to overcome and a pit or two to fall in but that is down the path, not right in front so there is no reason to stop now.

  2. There is nothing more important than taking that first step. As I once quoted “One moment of action is worth more than 100 years of thinking about doing something”

    Great advice Mark

    Cheers,
    Glen

  3. Mark, your comments exemplify precisely what I see daily working with small business owners. It starts with a vision. And you gotta write it down “to make it real.” And having Terrie as an accountability partner doesn’t hurt! When it comes to a business scheme, have you ever tried the One-Page Business Plan? We use it with great success with all our clients.

  4. This is an important question, and a good answer!

    I sometimes feel that I need to ask myself this question every day: what do I need to do to get started TODAY? While getting started is the most important thing to do first, starting once is not going to get me far on its own.

    I need constant reminders to take the next first step. And that’s how I keep moving. The speed is often painfully slow, but still, the only way to move forward is by always taking the first step ahead of you.

  5. The first thing that I did to get started was quit my job so that my wife was free to find a new one anywhere (she had been laid off).We slashed expenses by getting rid of a ton of “stuff”, put the rest in storage, then let our lease expire. With no rent, electric, oil or cable bills we were able to travel the country for 5 months so she could look for a job.

    Now that we have settled in, I *have* to make something happen with my little biz or we are in trouble! It seems to be working so far…

  6. I’ve done a lot of thinking over the years, but everything changed when I stopped thinking and began doing.

    I said ‘this is what I do now’ and I won’t ever regret it.

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