Action – Take the First Step

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

–Dale Carnegie (via A Place of Yes by Bethenny Frankel)

Dreams. Dreams are wonderful things. Beautiful things, in fact, because they are glimpses of what we wish for ourselves and for those around us.  We dream because we believe in possibility. We dream because we believe something more is possible, but the ingredient that is taken for granted often times is that in order to make it materialize is the decision to act.

The first step is to dream, then to set a goal of making that dream a reality, following by the first step and subsequent steps until the goal is finally reached.

Too often, after daring to dream, we dismiss it as impossible to accomplish, but I believe that these dreams are whispers from our inner self, trying to guide us to what we are truly capable of if we are willing to put forth the energy and effort.

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” –Eugene F. Ware

If we are willing to begin the journey, we have taken one of the most difficult steps, and the further we get into the process of attaining the goal we had initially only dreamed about, the more difficult it becomes to cease trying to reach the end mark.  Along the way, we will learn things about ourselves, come to realize we are stronger and more capable than we realized and that confidence is what will help provide the fuel to continue and to not give up. 

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” –Vincent van Gogh

The first step, and all of the many small steps in between, are the necessary pieces of the puzzle coming together to form what may have at first seemed impossible. Do the little things, get lost in the little things, throw yourself into the little things and do your best.  And within time, you will have a mountain of quality work to revel in and realize that the impossible really is possible.

“If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress.”  -Barack Obama

Whether it be completing the spring cleaning in your home, earning your bachelor’s degree, writing a book or reforming a broken down system in your community, each of these begins with a single first step of action, of doing and never stopping until the goal is reached.

No, it won’t always be easy.  You will be tested and challenged and asked to prove how determined you are to stay the course, but if this is something you genuinely want, you will find a way. The key is to continue to move in the right direction – to not become still or stagnant.

“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

So today, look at the goals you want to accomplish and assess whether you are doing something currently that is bringing you closer to them becoming your reality. And if you are, pat yourself on the back, but keep on doing; and if you’re not, take that first step today in the right direction.

The feeling of accomplishment is the first opportunity of allowing happiness into your life and eliminating unnecessary fear. Not every drop of sweat will instill happiness, but I can guarantee doing nothing will never create happiness. So today, find a way to be productive, sit down at the computer, go out and get to work, whatever it is that will bring you one step closer to accomplishing your dreams.

"A year from now you will wish you had started today." –Karen Lamb

Have a beautiful week.

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