What holds us back from progressing?

What prevents us from taking action on tasks we need or wish to accomplish? Through my experiences, I've identified eight key barriers:

1. Feeling overwhelmed
2. A lack of self-esteem
3. Engaging in self-sabotage (I excelled at this!)
4. Confusion
5. A lack of focus
6. Waiting for the ideal moment to begin
7. The belief that I had missed my chance
8. The fear of failure (the biggest hurdle!)

However, I firmly believe that laziness is not inherent. Instead, it often arises from a lack of engagement, creativity, passion, or sense of purpose in life. When we feel energized and inspired, procrastination fades away.

As the Persian poet Rumi wisely stated:

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

To experience this joy, we sometimes must take that initial step. While it may not feel fulfilling at first, remember that:

“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” — James Clear

Top Strategies for Getting Started

1. Create Simple To-Do Lists

   It might seem overly simplistic, but having a straightforward checklist can help you track your progress and provide a sense of accomplishment. The more manageable and clear your tasks are, the less likely you are to feel overwhelmed. Completing small tasks can trigger a dopamine release, which is always a welcome boost.

Break your larger goals down into smaller, actionable steps, and celebrate each completion. Looking back in a few months, you’ll be amazed at your progress.

“If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” — Thomas Edison

2. Just Begin

   Whatever your passion, take the first step towards it. For me, that meant sharing my articles online. To my surprise, after all the anxiety about my initial publication, the world continued to turn, and no one took notice. This realization freed me to explore and learn without the pressure of judgment.

So, start. At the beginning, it feels as though nobody is watching, which is liberating. As you grow in confidence and experience, you’ll be better equipped to engage with others.

A Few More Pearls of Wisdom from Mark Twain

• “Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.”
• “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
• “Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.”
• “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”
• “Don’t wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it.”
• “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”
• “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection.”

Closing Reflections

Life is far too precious to live in a manner that doesn’t fulfill you. Unfortunately, studies suggest that only 8% of people globally are living their dream lives. A significant factor in this disparity is often rooted in feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, and overwhelming pressure. A simple yet effective strategy is to consistently accomplish small tasks that bolster your self-esteem and sense of purpose. Over time, these small victories will reshape your mindset.

Many believe they’ve missed their opportunity, but that’s simply untrue. As an old Chinese proverb reminds us:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Another wisdom states:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

In conclusion, take that small step today by breaking down your complex tasks into manageable ones. Start crafting the life you've always wanted. Do Mark Twain proud; he would undoubtedly appreciate it.