How to Take the First Step and Get the Ball Rolling
I believe we are spiritual beings living physical lives, and to make the most of this life we have to take care of, nurture, and more importantly listen to the clues that spirit gives us, mostly through gut intuition and feelings we have.
At some point, though, we have to honor the physical side of our lives as well, and that means taking action. To hell if conditions aren’t perfect, or if this circumstance isn’t quite ideal or that person isn’t following through the way they said they would. We’ve got to take all these spiritual principles and put them into action.
That’s exactly where a lot of people get stuck, even those with greater awareness and knowledge. You know you want to work out, need to get into better shape for the sake of generating more energy to work your mission. But what step is often the hardest to take? That first one.
Depending how long you had been in your last cycle, getting the ball rolling can feel like pushing a boulder uphill, metaphorically speaking. You need to build the next muscle and final spiritual muscle that separates the successful from those still waiting at the gate: momentum.
Momentum is that force that makes it easier for someone who’s successful to do what’s right than to do what’s wrong. Momentum is that process of getting that snowball moving. The hardest part about working out is getting to the gym. Once you get there, it’s not that hard to do.
When you’re in motion, that’s when things begin to line up, not before (that goes for you perfectionist!). When in doubt, act. What did everyone else tell you? When in doubt, stop and think about it. No! That’s why I say thinking is dangerous to your wealth!
Most people who I know that got rich didn’t think too much. They saw a piece of property: ‘This looks good. Anything structurally wrong? Environmentally? No? Good, I’ll buy it.’ Twenty years later they’re very rich. They really planned that one out, huh?
Just as an aside, if you’re really “smart,” chances are you’re not going to be really rich. You’re going to get in your way, a real momentum killer. Those who aren’t too “smart” are open to knowing (A) They don’t know everything the need to know to be rich (B) Will learn how to be rich, even if it temporarily hurt’s their pride to know exactly how far off they were to begin with.
A body in motion will remain in motion and a body at rest will remain at rest. What do we want to do? Get into motion! Once you’re there, it gets easier. We already know that. Now we gotta just do it.
What in your life do you just need to get started and adjust as you go? What have you been waiting for? What’s the fear? Is that true or did you just make it up?
You will make it. Trust yourself. Love yourself and know that you make it all up. It’s your freaking story!
Now we want to hear from you! What are some positive momentum-changers that have worked for you?







You don`t have to get it right,you just have to get it going.Action is what is needed.Don`t suffer from the analysis of paralysis.If you aren`t moving toward your goals it`s because proper action isn`t being taken.
We tend to make things too simple. When you say “Most people who I know that got rich didn’t think too much” is just another example of trying to make the world too simple. Some people try to think too much and never take action and there are those that do not think at all (following the crowd) and get hurt. Considering the spiritual side of this post; this is one of the hardest things for us to do because it is not simple. We cannot put a number to spirituality. To solve this we need to consider our emotions a bit, they were installed in us for a reason, don't ignore them.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
How can I help?
What David said is pretty dead on….just get going. Take some action!
What has worked for me in a positive way is making lists. Just a few (not a lot) of things that I need to accomplish every day that will bring me that much closer to my goal.
This has helped me tremendously in most small, medium and larger things of done. Including my writing and launching an ATM course right now.
I write my list at night and read it before going to bed and when I awake in the morning.
That's pretty simple but I think it makes a HUGE impact.
Harv, right now, I am more concerned about my health. I went to see my Consultant this morning – the meeting went well, but I still have a long way to go. I gave him a copy of The Power by Rhonda Byrne as I was leaving, and told him it was my intention to get very well in 2011…. He is referring me for therapy which I look forward to – because reading the Secret and all the Self-Help books over the years really burnt me out, physically, mentally and spiritually…. This morning at 6 am I was listening to Wayne Dyer THE SHIFT – and he answered a lot of my questions about success, meaning, purpose and truth… Sometimes I try to hard to succeed I forget that I am always ENOUGH. Sometimes I give up on my dream and then I remember to have faith and hope….
My friend Deirdre, received the all clear just before Christmas having been told by her Consultant that she had 6 months to live… She no longer has cancer and is so full of zest for the live she now has. So for now I am grateful to be here, thankful for all the blessings I have, but I can still dream xx family and friends,
https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Gi…
Free To Be Me https://t.co/olFWrjN gonna sleep on the notion that perfection is my enemy – don't let it beat you xxxxx – I'm free to be ME, and you are free to be YOU…. No matter what anybody else says xxxx
Great post encouraging us to take action and keep it going. The very things we allow to stop us are nothing more than our perceptions, not reality. Time to live it full out.
Val 🙂
Hey! this is really inspiring. I was about to leave it all for today, but I'm starting over my new project and keep moving! Everything will be just fine, cause I'm well prepared!
Technically, momentum is not a force. But I agree with, concur with, and support the rest of what you say. Nike motto.
Most of the times I work from a to-do list. Stuff to get me going and take the next step ahead of me towards my goal. But I found out it works a great deal better when I make a CHOOSE TO DO list. Most to-do lists are actually full of need-to-do's and have-to-do's. You don't want those on your list, because they don't get you in the direction of your goals. Since I use my choose-to-do list, I get my momentum in full swing.
Thank you so much for this words!
It makes perfect sense to me.
When I`m moving towards my gold I feel fresh and renovated.
My mind is open and I feel so Free! All the actions I take keep me on the right path.
Thank You!
I am currently in Australia. Arrived two weeks ago.I have a job here for a year.Pinch me I still can't believe it; all the little steps were huge steps. Last January I took action and filled out the necessary paperwork to get an interview. I remember a very snowy day the day of the interview. Still made the interview appointment. Met a few Aussies skiing and made a point to talk with them about their country.One Aussie said to be very patient with the Aussies timing.So throughout the year I kept a positive attitude.In August I finally was offered a job.Now it is January and actions have paid off. I feel like I am in the Avatar movie with all the variety all around me. Beautiful wildlife in the second summer for me in a six months period. And so nothing was perfect but now it is for me,even with imperfections.
One of the best articles I've read this week. Action is what gets us results, especially if it's action taken out of our comfort zone. “When in doubt, act.” – The best single advice oyu can give to people.
Greg
Josh, I see your posts on every one of Harv's blog; you always expand on what Harv says and I enjoy reading your thoughts but you never relay anything personal, your personal experiences about what you're saying. Can I challenge you to give us something from the heart on Harv's next blog?
Tracey
Darwin, NT
Australia
I have no problem with sharing who I am, I am just not sure what kind of personal things I should add. Are you referring to anecdotal evidence? Here is a personal thing, I like to call myself a recovering engineer because I was trained as a chemical engineer but I no longer work as an engineer. Maybe that is one of the reasons I do not think to talk about personal things. If you want to see a little more about me take a look at my about me page: https://www.thebootstrapcoach.c… and friend me on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshbu…
I think it's important to make your goal a matter of identity–to say to yourself, “I am a person who takes good care of myself, and therefore, I am going to the gym!” If you truly know who you are and what you value, then all of your decisions flow from your identity.
meditation moves me forward, it's the one thing that stops me from overthinking.
Finding the love of my life gives me great purpose, a visible & tangible purpose that I know what I am taking action for.
Hi I am Ken Saw from Singapore. It is now 530am and I am now sitting at my block downstairs and blogging! The breeze blowing me cool and calm. The air is so fresh. Everything is so peaceful. A lady walk past me towards her Qigong team. She was smiling. Of cos I was smiling and we connected and we greeted morning to her. She greeted me back with a big smile. How good is that!
You must be wondering why on earth am I doing at my block downstairs at this hour. It was because I committed to myself that I need to get my ass out of the comfort zone and start exercising. My commitment is to exercise 3 times a week at the course of 'Master Your Mind'. Today is my 1st step. 1st step is always the hardest. But once you have taken it, you are on your way.
My alarm went off at 5am. It was so so so tough to wake up this early for a person like me who likes to sleep late. Believe me, it was tough. Guess what? I woke up, off the alarm and immediately went back to bed. My mind is telling me to take a snooze. But I heard another inner voice of me 'you have to get up. You are committed to your words. You can do it'.
I sprung up from bed, brush my teeth and off I go. I ran around my estate. NO! I jog for a good 2km. The last 400m was killer. As usual I wanted to give up as I am very tired and uncomfortable already. Again there my inner speaks to me again. 'You can do it. It is just over there.' I gave a nod and focus on my target and keep cheering myself on. At the 300m mark, there is this shortcut which is tempting me to derail off my directions. And yes, i did not take it. I persist on. Oh Yes, I did it. YES!
I am doing the post right now as I hope you can feel my joy when I fulfill my committment. It is awesome!
Now it is your turn to share if you have made some commitments to yourself and you took the 1st step towards it. Sharing is great as it re affirms what you did subconsciously.
Thank you all for the great comments.
Thanks Sir for reminding us this important steps. I have seen in my last four year's experience, most of the people get stuck in this very step. That's why I committed this year to implement whatever I learned till date and emphasize more on “implementation” in every workshop I take.
I totally agree. In everything momentum is important. The hardest thing at times is to get up when what you really want is vegetate in bed. Listening to our body is important too. Balance is the key. I had this vertigo (there are several kinds of vertigo. After CT scan the doctor ruled out an inner ear viral infection. It's a spinning sensation that makes you nauseous when you move your head – oh i do not wish this to anyone.) lingering in my body for two months. At first I asked what's the universe or higher power is communicating to me so I did all the gentler, kinder and natural treatments and pampered myself. Then 8 weeks later I had it. I decided to go against the norm, forced myself and walk outside with a cane (yes I was moving like 80+ years old and the moment I feel I can walk slowly unaided I booked my flight to go round the world. Nice…vertigo be gone! Just got back skiing in Whistler. The “Ball” is in our hands. If we don't keep it rolling nobody else will.
When I get “stuck” (and realize it), I Google phrases that are pertinent to my objectives and goals. There's always something within some of the results that clear things up.
Great article Harv. Thank you!!