Day Two: On that First Step.

Everything requires a single step to begin and it strikes me that it is usually that first step which I find the hardest.

I've never been one for motivation.

If you've met me, or read any of my blog before, you will know that I procrastinate with pretty much anything and everything. When I entered writing competitions I left it till the last minute to write my entry, obviously not proof reading or planning it properly. Now, I by no means think I could win most of these competitions, but I'd stand a better chance if I put some effort in. What always hits me is the "I'll do it later" attitude and it persists untill the last possible minute. This happened with my IS, my Independant Study, the piece of work that is going to help me pass my degree, the piece of work which, without, I fail. Now at first I didn't know it had to be in so early, so I began to stress, then the longer I left it the more stressful the thought of it became, so I didn't touch it. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months and it became increasingly apparant that I needed it sorted, but the idea of it scared me.

But then it clicked... It takes one single step to get it moving. All I had to do was email lecturers to see if they liked my Ideas. If they didn't, start again, but if they did it meant I had a direction to go.

One step, and I could have a destination.
One step, and I could stop stressing.

Now in a way you have helped me with this. By setting this Challenge, to write seven articles, and by having people read it (I know atleast a few of you are reading every article, and for this I thank you) it gives me some motivation. I knew that I wanted to write about 'that first step' but I knew I couldn't write about it without first doing it. So I forced myself to send off emails about my IS, so I could write about it in my blog.

I rely too much on other people. I am relying on the fact that I have some people reading this to make me write, otherwise, knowing me, I would probably have given up. But I figure, by starting this I am starting a change. By setting the challenge, even with minimal support, I am sparking a change in myself where hopefully I can get over the first little step without you. Not that I don't appreciate you all! I think you're just dandy! But I do need to be able to encourage myself, and to just start doing things in life!

From now on, he says, I am going to jump that first hurdle more easily each time till it doesn't become a challenge anymore. Obviously it may take a while, and obviously I will still procrastinate with somethings, but, overall, I am going to make an effort to do something a bit more worthwhile with my time. Whether its on my own or with others.

So, here's to change; here's to getting up that first step.

Shaun Kellett
Clockwork Musings