How do you tackle getting started with a new goal, task or habit?

Developing habits is a fascinating ordeal. I’ve recently started running again-partly because I want to be active, but partly because of the mental benefits I reap from running. And before you think I’m some kind of peak physical athlete (if you saw me, you’d think otherwise), understand I use the term “running” loosely. It’s more of a slow jog or a really fast crawl.

But over the years I’ve learned something with my runs. Getting out there is as important as whatever distance I run. Getting started is what matters if I want to stick with it.

Put another way: If you can do one, do one. Then do two.

Three weeks ago I found time to run once per week. It was a new habit I was trying to build (actually restart), so I found time one morning to run. The next week, I did the same thing. Then, last week I missed my usual day, but did something I didn’t expect: I ran two other days.

I don’t know that I started my week with the plan to run twice, but I did.

For two weeks I ran once, then I ran twice. I could do one, so I did one, then I did two.

The same goes for distance. There’s going to come a point where I want to build up my stamina, so guess what I’ll do: if I can do one mile without stopping, I’ll do one, then I’ll do two.

There are a few things I’ve blogged about here that are what I would consider core principles for my life: the Three Questions, the Horizon of Possibility, and Communicating Expectations to name a few. But I think this is another one.

If we want to grow as leaders, there are going to be opportunities we see along the way to grow, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, if we see five opportunities, what do we do?

If you can do one, do one. Then do two.

Mentoring. Discipleship. Inviting. Recruiting. Involving. Planning. Executing (but not the bad kind of executing).

The truth is for a serial over thinker like myself, sometimes I just have to start. It’s not going to be perfect. I need a first draft before I get to a final product. And I find incredible encouragement in this, and I hope you do as well.

So what in your life are you waiting to start? If you can do one, do one. Then do two.