20 Reasons to Start Today
You are avoiding a task.
Working. Studying. Exercising. Reading. Starting a new habit. Going to a therapist or doctor. Asking someone out.
Stop avoiding it.
Start doing it today.
1: It’s your responsibility to do something about it
Stephen Covey writes in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “Between stimulus and response is my freedom to choose.” Instead of waiting to become motivated or inspired, choose to simply start. Your progress is your responsibility — no one else’s.
2: Changing the status quo is the only way to make progress
Positive change is only made when we step out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves. This change may be demanding, but not as painful as the alternative of dealing with the pain of regret. “No pain, no gain”, after all.
3: Your future self will thank you
Starting something is difficult for the present you — but will be oh-so rewarding for future you. Always seek to “choose what your future self would thank you for”, as the saying goes.
4: It facilitates long-term gratification
What we want in life is more important than what we want in the moment. Whereas long-term gratification is enduring, short-term fulfillment is only temporary. Starting now means setting sail for that enduring success.
5: Starting now means getting there sooner
The only way to move forwards is to move forwards. Taking that tiny first step might feel insignificant in the moment, but it just means getting closer to your goal. The earlier you start, the earlier you will get there.
6: Your stress level may decrease
For every day that passes without progress, stress builds. If there is a deadline, pressure increases as the due date closes in. To avoid the harmful effects of such stress, we could take action before it becomes too late.
7: It is important to you
Most tasks do not have a deadline. Sometimes we postpone important tasks because they are not urgent enough. Progress should be made not because it is urgent, but because it is meaningful and fulfilling to you.
8: Tomorrow becomes easier
When days pass without progress, we start to dread the next day. But if we do that important first step today, tomorrow might just look a little more hopeful. No matter what happens, we did do something.
9: It trains your ability to meet resistance
If you can go against the obstacles in your life and start doing that one difficult thing, it becomes easier to meet future challenges.
10: It makes other parts of your life easier
The effect of one habit can bleed onto another habit. Working out improves health, and health influences confidence, and confidence inspires discipline. If you do one thing well, you are likely to do other things well too.
11: You get the hardest part over quickly
The start is always the hardest part. After that, it becomes smoother and easier. And besides, if you can get over the biggest hurdle, who’s to say you can’t get over another one down the line?
12: The starting phase has the least pressure
When you start, you are bound to fall short. You do not have to be perfect, and no one expects you to. You just have to do something, because that’s all that matters.
13: You will never be fully ready anyway
Prepare, but never postpone. Just do it now and learn more along the way. As Austin Kleon writes in Steal Like an Artist: “It’s in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who are.”
14: It gives you greater control of your life
Taking action is taking control. It means doing something hard in an effort to achieve a something nice. Your life no longer becomes dictated by motivation or perceived readiness, but rather, by your own choice to act.
15: To become who you want to be, you must do what you need to do
You can never really be a student unless you study. You can never really be a dancer if you never dance. You can never really be the person you want to be without doing anything at all to reach that status.
16: It gives you a sense of purpose
Starting something good— taking initiative — always gets your blood rushing. Doing something that is important, and making even the tiniest of progress, will fill your future days with potential and a unique sense of purpose.
17: You will prove your self-doubt wrong
The best way to cast doubt upon your self-doubt is by doing something it wants you to avoid. Your self-doubt does not care about perfection so long as you only care about progress.
18: It reflects strength of character
Starting shows immense discipline, courage, and strength. “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” If you do this one thing, you may be able to do everything else with the same discipline, courage, and strength.
19: You avoid regret
The saying goes, “The pain of regret is worse than the pain of discipline.” Knowing that you did something is better than regretting doing nothing. As Karen Lamb once spoke: “A year from now, you will wish you had started today.”
20: You have to begin at some point to reach your goals
Lao Tzu wrote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It is impossible to get to a destination without starting somewhere humble and inexperienced. So, take that first step.
Start today.
