Starting will always be hard | No Nonsense November (1/26)
Embracing the challenge: A month of focus, discipline, and stripping away distractions to uncover real progress, one day at a time.
Starting is always the hardest part. It’s the moment where intention meets resistance, where the desire for change collides with the comfort of staying the same. You feel it — a subtle weight pressing back, a voice that whispers how tomorrow will be easier, how today’s a fine day to wait. But deep down, you know that each delay only strengthens that resistance.
This is the first article of No Nonsense November marking the first day of my commitment to a month of full accountability, focusing on health, productivity, and avoiding distractions like alcohol and other vices. After a few days of setting things up, today marks the real beginning (1/26). Each day, I’ll publish a brief takeaway capturing a key lesson or insight from the challenge, along with reflections on what’s working and what isn’t. These entries will run alongside my regular, full-length articles, giving an honest view into the journey of going all-in on a focused, intentional life for the month. If you want to read more about this challenge, check out the article below.
Why Starting Is Hard
Starting isn’t just a physical act — it’s a mental shift that confronts our inner doubts and insecurities. Whenever we think about beginning something new, especially something meaningful, we’re often met with a flood of self-imposed hurdles. What if I fail? What if it’s too difficult? What if I end up worse off than before? These questions can feel overwhelming and intimidating, casting doubt on our abilities and motivations.
This anxiety is natural; it’s a reaction to venturing into the unknown. Regardless of how competent or prepared we are, these thoughts tend to lurk in the background, reminding us of all that could go wrong. The problem with starting, therefore, often has little to do with the task itself and everything to do with the fears and mental blocks we create around it.
Flipping the Script: What If It Works Out?
The way forward isn’t to ignore these fears but to challenge them. Instead of letting “what if” fears keep us from action, ask yourself the opposite question: What if it goes well? Thinking about the potential positives can help us step back and view the journey from a broader perspective.
Starting something new doesn’t need to be monumental; it’s just the first piece of a larger puzzle. Success doesn’t require perfection at the outset. In fact, starting is about creating a foundation, not reaching the finish line. By shifting your focus from flawless execution to simple forward movement, you open yourself up to the growth that comes with every small step.
Setting Expectations Low: Redefining Success on Day One
One of the most effective strategies for starting something challenging is to lower the initial expectations. Set the bar unrealistically low — this isn’t about diminishing your goals, but rather about removing the pressure that often comes with them. By setting a simple, easily achievable target, you not only overcome the initial inertia but also build early momentum.
Imagine your goal is to start a new exercise regimen. Instead of aiming for a long, intense workout, start with just five minutes. The purpose is to take that first step and experience a quick win, which builds confidence and motivation. Over time, this approach can transform into sustained progress, allowing you to surpass those initial low bars and reach higher goals without the constant pressure of needing to “succeed” on the first day.
This mindset shift reminds us that the beginning of any journey doesn’t have to be perfect or intense. It’s simply a matter of getting started, with the knowledge that future steps will build on this foundation.
Embracing Small Steps Over Perfect Starts
The goal of starting isn’t to be perfect from the get-go; it’s to build a rhythm. Think of each step as one brushstroke on a much larger canvas. While each small action may feel insignificant, they accumulate to create something greater than the sum of its parts. By lowering expectations at the start, you remove the fear of failure and instead create space for incremental growth.
When you begin with smaller goals, you also set a sustainable pace. As you start seeing small victories, you naturally feel empowered to raise the bar. Starting this way allows you to experiment, refine, and build confidence in your own capacity. Over time, those small steps you took at the beginning will pave the way for much larger successes down the road.
Today’s Personal Takeaway: Aiming for the Minimum
Today, as I embarked on my No Nonsense November journey, I was reminded of how easy it is to overburden ourselves with unrealistic expectations. In aiming for perfect efficiency from the outset, I found myself hesitating, questioning whether I was truly ready for such an intense commitment. The turning point came when I shifted my focus to minimum deliverables — simple, achievable steps for just one day. This change in perspective transformed my mindset, making the whole process feel manageable and even motivating.
By setting the absolute minimum for success, I ended up feeling a sense of accomplishment that would have been elusive had I set the bar too high. This method of starting small gives me the confidence to tackle the next day with a little more intensity, knowing I’m capable of showing up and following through.
Conclusion: Progress Begins with the First Step
Starting doesn’t require a flawless plan or perfect conditions — it simply requires you to begin. With realistic expectations and an openness to gradual improvement, the journey becomes less intimidating and more fulfilling. The first step isn’t about achieving a breakthrough; it’s about building the foundation that will allow future growth. As you move forward, remember that setbacks and challenges will arise, but by keeping your expectations flexible, you make space for real progress.
Thank you for reading this. If this piece resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out at me@mostly.media. If you’d like to support more content like this, check out my Substack for additional insights and updates on future projects. Your support on Ko-fi also helps keep these conversations going and fuels more writing on personal growth and self-discovery. Thank you for being here.
