This article is dedicated to our sweet granddaughter Huxleigh who just graduated from grade school.  Huxleigh..... I pray you never stop dreaming, reaching for the stars, and that your life's journey is filled with many blessings and first steps with God at your side.

Why is the first step always the hardest?

Because there are so many things that can slow us down or trip us up on the way to where we want to go. Fear of the unfamiliar and being outside our routine and comfort zone is a natural instinct that can freeze us in our tracks.  Sometimes just imagining all those potential hurdles, sinkholes, slippery slopes, and dead ends is enough to keep us flatfooted at the starting line. 

If you're tired of standing still, try using these four strategies as a springboard towards change, progress, achievement, and maximum return on life's greatest blessings. 

1. Reassess your goal.

One reason that so many New Year's Resolutions fail is folks tend to follow the crowd towards fulfillment and self-improvement. They see a trendy new exercise habit or lifestyle tweak racking up likes and reshares and think, "I should do that too!" But once it's time to start putting in the work, they realize that goal isn't really meaningful to them. They've been setting their sights on someone else's vision of happiness instead of defining their own. 

So, ask yourself: How badly do you really want this? Why do you want it? How do you imagine your life being better when you've achieved it?  Does the thought of waking up tomorrow to take your first step make you feel excited, or like hitting snooze?

If the reasons you come up with are concrete, personal, and motivating, then you're going to have a much easier time taking that dreaded first step. And if you no longer have that urge to move forward, pick another goal that you can get passionate about. 

2. Do some research. 

Read up on someone who's accomplished what you want to accomplish. Where did they start from? What techniques did they use? What habits did they build? How much time, money, energy, and emotion did they invest? What hurdles did they overcome?  What costly mistakes were made and what can you learn from them?

You could also consult with relevant professionals who can help you set clear expectations. It tends to be much harder to tackle the unknown alone.  It is helpful to remember this Biblical wisdom when facing the unfamiliar: "Plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisors they succeed."   Check in with your doctor before you begin working towards any dramatic exercise goals. Talk to someone who transitioned into teaching about the classwork and certifications. Hire a coach who has helped others get healthier or learn faster. 

3. Always give yourself permission to fail. 

Some of life's greatest successes are born out of failure.  As we used to say in the military.... embrace the suck and drive on airborne...drive on.

The first time you introduce yourself in Spanish your pronunciation will be off. 

No one sets a world record the first time they try to jog a mile. 

If you're like me you're going to slice off the tee and find all of the hazzards.

Your backhand will be weak. 

You're going to fall down on the bunny slope. 

The first draft of your novel is going to drag in the middle. 

And then ... you'll get better! Whether you're starting from zero or trying to progress from good to great, every rep is going to build on the last one and reset your floor. 

Go ahead and imagine the worst-case scenario for your first attempt. It will be the last time you're that bad at whatever you're trying. You might even surprise yourself and clear your low expectations. 

4. Make a plan. 

It's going to be a lot easier to take that first step on your new journey if you can see how it leads to a second, and then a third. 

Once you've set your big goal, break it down into smaller actions that you can cross off your to-do list at regular intervals. 

Gradually, increase your daily, weekly, and monthly targets. Go from walking to jogging, from jogging a mile to running two. Once you’ve successfully saved an extra 3% for a couple months, try for 5%. 

Anticipate major milestones, like a race you want to run, a test you have to pass, or a date when you’d like to make a down payment on a house, and ramp up your efforts to match. 

Keep hitting your targets and you’ll build unstoppable momentum, one step at a time. 

I pray that this was helpful to you and that your journey ahead is filled with many blessings and first steps!