Starting is the hardest part. Not because we don’t want to achieve our goal, but because often, we don’t know where to begin.
I remember feeling just that way after stepping away from a long career in news. I knew I had skills, experience, and a desire to continue contributing in meaningful ways. Still, none of the paths in front of me felt like THE path. I skimmed job postings, applied to a few, entertained suggestions from friends, and tried to figure out what might be next. Nothing stuck. And in the back of my mind, I kept wondering if my lack of clarity was really a lack of motivation.
Then, one conversation changed everything.
“Where do I even start?”
Someone I trusted listened, then asked me a simple question: Have you considered coaching?
My first instinct was to brush it off. Others had suggested it, but I had balked. I kept asking myself, “Where do I even start?” Coaching felt like something other people knew how to do. Not me. And even though I had been coached a couple of times in my career – and knew the power of those experiences – I was scared I wouldn’t measure up. As I had done several times before, I admitted I had no idea where to start. Instead of letting the moment pass, she did something powerful. She offered resources, examples, and encouragement. She showed me a path AND a way to walk it.
That was the spark I needed.
The Shift to Possibility
Once I started exploring, a whole new world opened up to me. Suddenly, getting started didn’t seem so difficult. I moved from “I don’t know if I can do this” to “Of course I can!” Momentum kicked in when I shifted from imposter to possibility.
This is what it taught me:
- You don’t have to know every step before you begin. Just start.
- Support matters. Sometimes, when just one person sees the possibility in you, you start seeing it in yourself.
- Momentum builds action. Take a small step forward. It can unlock bigger shifts in energy and direction.
That’s why I’m so passionate about the work I do now. Because I know how scary it feels to be at the edge of something new, wondering where to begin. I also know the incredible freedom and excitement that comes when you take that first step.
Starting may be the hardest part, but it’s also where the magic begins.
If you’re standing at your own starting line and wondering how to take that first step, I’d love to help you find your path forward.