Ever find yourself staring at a
blank page—or even just the idea of starting something—and thinking, “I
probably won’t finish this anyway”?
You’re not alone. Fear of not
getting it done is the number one reason people delay starting something
meaningful. They want to write a book, create a course, or launch a side
project—but the thought of completing it feels overwhelming.
Actually, the fear isn’t about the
work. It’s about starting. And that’s what I tell the current clients enrolled
in the QuickStart Ebook Creation course.
That’s because often, the hardest part isn’t finishing—it’s beginning. Nothing
happens until you start.
I can’t tell you how many times people tell me
they want to write a book. They light up when they share their idea, their
story, their passion — and I always say, “I’ll be your accountability partner.”
But months go by, sometimes a whole year, and when I see them again, I’ll ask,
“So, did you start?” Usually, they smile sheepishly and say, “Not yet.” I make
the offer again, ready to cheer them on, but the pattern repeats.
The excuses sound familiar — no
time, too many family responsibilities, work demands, church obligations. I get
it, life is busy. But let’s be honest, most of the time the real problem isn’t
time — it’s fear. Fear of starting and not finishing. Fear of what people will
think. Fear of realizing it might be harder than imagined. But that fear steals
the very thing they were excited about in the first place: the joy of seeing
their story come to life. The truth is, you can’t finish what you never start.
And waiting for the perfect time only guarantees one thing — you’ll still be
waiting this time next year.
Here are 7 ways to get started,
even if you think you don’t have enough time, skill, or confidence:
1. Commit to just 15 minutes a
day
You don’t need hours of free time. Start with just 15 minutes. That’s all it
takes to get momentum. Often, once you begin, the next 15 minutes feel
easier—and suddenly, you’re in a flow you didn’t think possible. Small steps
add up faster than you think.
2. Break your project into
micro-steps
A big project can feel like staring at a mountain. Instead, break it down.
Outline one chapter. Write one page. Brainstorm three ideas for your intro.
Tiny victories build confidence and keep fear at bay.
3. Redefine “done”
Perfectionism is the cousin of procrastination. Waiting until everything is
perfect will keep you stuck forever. Done doesn’t have to be perfect—it just
has to exist. Remember, you can always revise, edit, and improve later.
Starting imperfectly is better than never starting at all.
4. Anchor yourself to your “why”
Why do you want to write this eBook, course or blog? Who will benefit from it?
What will it mean for your future? Your “why” is fuel for action. Write it
down, keep it visible, and remind yourself whenever fear creeps in.
5. Eliminate distractions before
you start
It’s easier to procrastinate when your phone, email, or social media beckons.
Set up a distraction-free zone for writing. Close your apps, silence
notifications, and protect these 15 minutes like they’re your most important
appointment of the day—because they are.
6. Tell someone your plan
Accountability works wonders. Tell a friend, colleague, or mentor that you’re
starting your writing project, eBook, blog or course. Knowing someone else is
rooting for you—or checking in—creates motivation to show up, even when fear
lingers.
7. Celebrate small wins
Every word written, every idea outlined, every paragraph completed is progress.
Celebrate it! When you reward yourself for small steps, you’ll start
associating action with achievement, not fear.
Starting isn’t about knowing
exactly how you’ll finish—it’s about taking the first step and trusting that
the next ones will follow. Fear will always show up. That’s normal. But fear
only wins if you let it stop you before you even begin.
This is why so many people hesitate
to sign up for a course like the Quickstart Ebook Creation Course. They
think 15 days isn’t enough. They worry they can’t finish. But the truth?
Starting is the hardest part. And once you do, finishing becomes possible.
You don’t have to wait for the “perfect
moment.” You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start. And
when you take that first step, you’ll be amazed at how momentum builds.
Your story deserves to be told.
Your ideas deserve to reach the world. And you are capable of finishing what
you start. So, what’s holding you back? Fear? Doubt? Perfectionism? Put it
aside, take a deep breath, and start today.
The blank page is waiting. And
here’s a little secret: it’s far less intimidating once you write the first
word.
Blessings,
Dr. Janice R. Love
Pearls Perfected Institute
