Starting: The First Hurdle

Deadlines and projects are intimidating. The larger the scale and the farther out they are, the more frightening they seem. The preliminary step is to plan out your work, a concept that is easy to write, but harder to follow. The real first step, though, is starting.

With much to do, the workload weighs down on each student. It often seems much worse than it is, until one truly starts. Once again, this is easier said than done. To start means to accept a deadline and to accept the time a project will take. That has a lot of implications.

Right now, that is my biggest hurdle. I have the resources I need, but I have yet to take a step toward it. I have the poster board to make my display board and I have a slides template to create my research speech, but that is the extent of it. I simply need to begin - a difficult task for a procrastinator.

That is my goal for the week. Make my first few slides, create wording for my display, build up the courage to start a forward momentum. After that, everything tends to fall into place. Missing puzzle pieces along the way can be dealt with as they make themselves apparent, I don't need to worry about what-ifs.

ISM is a series of firsts for me. First interview in a professional setting, first time networking through LinkedIn, first cold call, first rejection, first self paced class, and many more. That is the value of the class, these firsts are monumental, these also are a start for something much greater than a grade or deadline. I have started my professional journey, a look towards the future for success.

Starting is the biggest hurdle, and I've done it time and time again this year. What's a few more?