How to take the right first step towards your goal

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The commerce industry has convinced us that buying a new item is a smart first step towards our goal. But we actually pay money not for the product, but for the best version of ourselves. Only the pleasure from this quickly passes, and we never come close to the goal.

Remember how often we buy a new gadget or book that should help us become better. It seems to us that we did something important and approached our goal, although in reality we just wasted money and time.

We take the wrong first step if:

• buying new sportswear instead of starting to exercise;
• buying a new computer instead of starting to write a book on the old one;
• we take on a new project, when we have not yet finished the previous one;
• we read reviews about new cameras, although we do not use the one that we already have.

Buying shouldn't be the first step towards your goal. After all, even if you buy a new thing, you still need to force yourself to use it first. It is quite possible that after the purchase you will realize that you do not really need this thing.

1. Do the hardest

Deep down, we almost always know what we're avoiding. It is this action or decision that is often the most important for achieving the goal. But time after time we are distracted by false first steps. To move forward, you do not need to buy something new, but do what seems to us the most difficult.

2. Think like an entrepreneur

Rather than investing in an untested idea, good entrepreneurs look for the least viable solution. Then they check if it works, if it is interesting to people, and at an early stage identify the shortcomings of their idea.

If you rarely pick up your camera, a new expensive camera will not turn you into a good photographer. You need more practice. Chances are, you don't even know exactly what features your old camera lacks.

The best solution in this case is to train with what you already have.

3. Strengthen the habit before spending money

If you are not even trying to achieve something using the resources you already have, but immediately want to buy something new, stop and think about the situation. Try to break out of the cycle of mindless consumption.

It takes time and effort to change.

Find a simple activity that you can do on a daily basis that will help you reinforce the habit you desire. For example, if you want to start running, don't buy new running shoes right away, but try going for a walk every day for a month. Once the habit takes root, you will really notice the difference from your new shoes and want to improve further.

4. Rent the equipment you need

To avoid cluttering your home and wasting money on a false first step, borrow or rent the equipment you need to help you reach your goal. You are unlikely to postpone using it until later, because it needs to be returned. And in the process, you will understand whether you really need it and whether it is worth buying. This will save you time and money.

5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes

The best way to figure out what you really need is to try and fail. As you try to get things done, you’ll learn to ask the right questions and find the answers, and you’ll do better the next time. Only in this way will you understand what needs to be done to move on.

Of course, we are all afraid of failure, but acknowledging that fear will help you get things done. Instead of buying a new nutrition book or a new camera and then blaming them for your failures, try to accept that mistakes are a natural part of development.