Getting Started

"Getting started"

That phrase is almost EVERYwhere you look. 
Websites. Instruction manuals. New software. Educational classes. Recipe books. Hair dye boxes.
I see it every freaking time I log into my website to post something new. 

Even when there are no instructions, we still have to 'get started' if we want to do anything... Duh, right?
But then why is it so often true that we have no idea how or where (or even why) to get started?
And why aren't there clear instruction manuals -- maybe with friendly, semi-human-looking Ikea-like illustrations -- for everything in life?

So many times, when we think of "getting started," it has the opposite effect --- it freezes us right where we stand. Paralyzes us. Scares the crap out of us so much, that we simply decide NOT to start. 

You know what I'm talking about -- we've all done it... 
"Well, I don't know how to do that perfectly yet, so I'm not going to do it."
"I'm not sure which steps to take to get where I want to go, or if I even can (or want to, or if its right for me, or if it'll work), so I think I'll just stay where I am for now."
"I don't have a plan, so I'm just going to wait for a while."
"I don't know if I have time -- it seems like a lot of work, so I should probably just wait til I have time."

I've been guilty of all of them. 
Maybe it's the dream-business you've always fantasized about starting.
Maybe it's getting back into the dating world.
Maybe it's changing your eating and exercise routine to take better care of your body.
Maybe it's getting on a pair of skis. 

Here's the thing...

The only way to KNOW --- is to GO. 

You won't ever know if you can do something, unless you just get out there and DO IT. 
You won't become clear about if something is right for you, what's meant for you, unless you take action. 
You won't ever bring your heart's desire to you, unless you take steps to invite it in. 

There's that hilarious comic strip (I can't remember by whom) which depicts a man praying and praying and praying and praying -- for years -- to win the lottery. 
Until finally, in the last frame, God appears and says, "I would LOVE to answer your prayer ---
BUT I WISH YOU WOULD BUY A LOTTERY TICKET."

Even simply taking some internal or personal actions to show the Universe you're ready to RECEIVE is a good start. 
After my last break-up, I got two hearts tattooed behind my right ear, with the intention of telling the Universe that I was ready to find my real love; my co-heart (not kidding, I met him pretty much instantly). 
I got "be in love" tattooed on my side as the stamp marking my intention to live this way, and to dive into my Love Coaching business.

I'm not saying you have to get tattoos to set your intentions ;) -- your intention and manifestation statements can be anything that resonates for you. 

What I am saying is:
Take steps -- any steps, any at all -- toward your dreams.
Work on your self-talk to quiet those voices in your head saying "can't" or "shouldn't." 
Make a statement to the Universe that you're ready to get the ball and to run with it. 

Even if you don't think you're ready. 

What are you waiting to start?