Taking the First Step

I began running this week, something I haven't done in the past 20 years (not for exercise, anyway).  Working from home as a real estate agent, I have done other things for exercise, such as Pilates, kick-boxing and some light weight lifting.  Those were nice and I will still do them, but I really wanted to kick it into high gear and start doing something "hardcore" to build my stamina.  I have several friends who run and so I decided to give it a shot and see what all the fuss was about.

So Monday morning I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 AM and hit the pavement.  I have to admit that I really hated it and spent the entire time trying to convince myself that I wasn't completely crazy for doing this to myself.  However, after I was done and I got the endorphin high, the realization hit as to why people do this.  So I ran twice more this week.  Each time, I end up asking "why" during the actual exercise, but the benefits are so great that I know the answer to that.  I end up with more energy and I "feel" better for hours.  Plus, there are long term benefits to exercise that we are all familiar with.

At any rate, each time I do this, I have discovered that the first step is the hardest one.  For me, that step is rolling my body out of bed to go on this painful "adventure".  But I'm always glad that I took that step.  I got to thinking this morning how often in life this is true.

How many times do we hesitate to take that first step towards doing something new or difficult?  How about in business?  Building a business is hard work, almost as hard as running, but if you put the work into it and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will reap the benefits for years.  Yes, it is important to have a good plan, but you still have to take that first step towards getting it done.

There are plenty of other things too.  Going to a new school or church.  Learning a new skill.  Meeting a new person.  Asking that person out on a date.  For some less adventurous people, taking a new route to work.  Whatever the new thing is that you want or need to do, take the first step.  It won't make the remaining steps easy, but if you get started, you will discover that you gain momentum and before long you will be making progress.

So keep running ..... and may your endorphin high carry you through your busy work day!