The new year usually brings thoughts of new possibilities.  It is a reminder to refresh and begin again.  But how many people who think about starting something new actually do it?  The saying that doubt kills more dreams than failure is very true.  Most people will talk themselves out of an idea before it succeeds or fails.  It is so hard to just let go and try whatever may come.  We believe that we must be perfect just to start.  If perfection were a requirement for anything, there would never be a new invention in the world. 

Just trying can be intimidating.  The what-ifs will eat you alive, but humans can fabricate the worst-case scenarios in our own heads that are one hundred times worse than real life.  It doesn’t matter if your dream or goal seems silly to other people; it simply matters that it is an idea from your very own thoughts.  We as people do not like looking foolish or not having all the answers.  We put such pressure on ourselves to know everything, which only fuels the doubt in our souls that keeps us from reaching our true potential.  What if you pursue a dream and it is successful, and you run out of time to truly enjoy it?  You would only regret not beginning sooner.  Unfortunately, I don’t think many people ever get to that point because they were simply too unsure of themselves to begin.

My encouragement for 2023 is just to simply start.  It doesn’t matter what the goal is; take one small step to make it a reality.  Write it down, say it out loud, tell a friend but just start.  You will learn as you go.  When I started writing again, I had no idea what I would write about, and although I am not great at posting everything, I write for the world’s consumption; I have started, and the words come easier with each story.  I had the great fortune to start a side crafting business with the encouragement of a friend last year, and with each baby step I create with it, I improve.  I must still remind myself to get out of my own way and just do.  I am not perfect; no one on the planet is.  We all must start somewhere if we want to achieve our dreams or take the risk of never doing the thing that is in our spirit to bring to the world.  Doing is what matters most.  No matter how small a step you take to turn your goals into reality, the first step is to start.  Don’t overthink it; put it into action, and you will find that one step leads to the next, and so on.  If you are determined, you will learn to pivot when things don’t work and not simply quit.  What we must all remember: it is never too early or too late to start, and you, yes, YOU have the talent to be great.  Just begin!