Every Swing of the Hammer

I, like most people, find myself at times trying hard to get motivated. Many times I struggle with either finding the energy to put some effort through to something or wondering if my efforts go unnoticed. Motivation is highly sought out and sometimes seems like this unicorn of a thought process that people struggle to find. Sometimes it is as simple as drinking a strong cup of black coffee for me, sometimes its watching a high motivating YouTube video, or sometimes it is getting surrounded by highly motivated people that gets me going. Either way I find it difficult to just wake up motivated and ready to put in that effort that I know is needed to get some things done. Everyone has something they need to get done or want to get done. I have lists and lists of things I know that need to get done, but equally I have just as long of lists for things I just want to get done for myself.  

What you have to understand about getting started and keeping things going towards accomplishing your task or goal is that every bit of effort matters no matter how big or small. With that thought, it is equally important to understand that there is no better time than now to start making that effort.  

It is like having a fitness goal of losing weight, gaining mass, or even just living a healthy lifestyle. I see and hear so many times (especially around the first of the year) people say, I will start going to the gym on the first, or after the holidays. It is great that they have a plan, but what about today? That effort whether big or small of getting started is going to benefit you. Every swing of the hammer on the structure of a house is going to start to yield results earlier, therefore helping you meet your goal faster. You might not even find it beneficial to keep waiting to get started. Things might come up and distract you from getting on that path to success initially, and for some things don’t always go according to your plans. My father always told me, “To make God laugh, tell him your plans.” So I say, create your goal or have your end game as detailed as possible in your mind. Be flexible with how you will get their and allow deviation, but get started immediately. Rip that bandaid off and start to swing the hammer and drive those nails in. Every bit of effort counts.  

Another example that I hear plenty of people say they know they need to get started is with schooling. Time and time again I hear, I will start school next semester, or I will get started when things calm down a bit. I say start now! Even if you can’t take the number of intended classes, take something. Recently I have seen a coworker get through some schooling that I am sure repeatedly he has told himself and many others through the years, “I need to start school.” He recently accomplished his first set of mid-terms and the accomplishment on his face even makes me happy and now I am jealous and looking towards furthering my education once again. 

I am not perfect and blow off many things I know that need to get done, but I try to remind myself that if there is nothing stopping me, that I am not doing myself any favors by waiting. Every race starts with the first step. Every structure starts with laying that first brick. Every swing of your hammer will assists with meeting the results of your goal. Get started now.