Starting Something New

Starting something new can be difficult regardless of what it is. Humans like things that are familiar even if we are not happy with them.

Starting a new project that you’ve been trying to start for a while because you have a lot of reasons why you haven’t started. This can be a stressful journey but it is worth it.

I understand this, I have a tote bag full of reasons but none of them will help me achieve anything.

For example, my last film project “Love Therapy” was shot a while ago so why has it taken me so long to start a new project?

The reason is a lack of focus. Sometimes, you may tell yourself you need to do all these things to be successful.

So you are busy getting a lot of things done but none of them really creates the success you want in your life because you didn’t focus on the right thing.  Also, if you do too much you may discover that most things are completed poorly, even if you don’t realize it.

If you’ve been wanting to start a new project but there’s something blocking you from starting.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What’s been holding you back? ( Money, time, fear, distractions, others, past disappointments)
2. Can this project change your life?
3. How are you spending your time right now? Be honest with yourself.
4. Can you spare 1 hour to start working on something new?
5. If you don’t ever complete this project are you okay with your life not changing?
6. Is the reason why you haven’t started because you don’t know where to start?

Need help figuring out what you want to do with your life? Click here

The thought of starting a new project may be overwhelming especially if you don’t know where to begin. There is no right or wrong way, all you need to do is tackle one thing at a time to build momentum.

If you are frustrated with your life now is a great time to start something new. The only way your life changes is if something new happens in it meaning you make new choices thereby having new outcomes or something new happens to it meaning a new opportunity comes your way and you take it.

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed already with your day-to-day schedule because even though you may not like your job, you still work your butt off for someone else at least five days a week. After working hard and long, you don’t have much energy left for yourself so starting something new is not on your radar.

Consider these steps:

1. Write down the project’s name and your end goals for the project. For example, my movie’s name is “Letters For My Daughters” and I wanted it to be distributed to theaters once it’s completed. By having a title, and knowing the end result you want, now all you need is in the middle. I know the middle is the work but at least you are clear about something and that’s enough to get started.
2. Create a notebook,  my production notebook has three sections marketing, financing, and production notes. Keeping a notebook allows you to dump all your ideas into one place so you won’t forget them and so you won’t have little pieces of paper all over the place.
3. Every night before you go to bed, write down something in your notebook (ideas, questions, discussions, research).
4. Watch things that encourage you to take action like business/creative people on YouTube. One of my favorite YouTube channels right now is Valuetainment.
5. Find something or someone that will motivate you to take action. For example, leaving your job, wanting to give your family a better life, or starting that career you’ve always talked about.

The problem is that most of us have too much on our plate so it’s hard to focus on one thing at a time. So before starting something new, stop and write down your daily routine so you can see if you reduce, eliminate, delegate, or plan tasks better.

Can you wake up earlier or go to sleep later? Can you use your lunch hour to write in your notebook and or do research?

Be mindful of how you spend your time, decide on some clear project goals, and remember everything starts with the first action step. If you don’t want a repeat of the past remember the lessons life teaches you and pay attention to your choices.