What is something you began this month? Did you discover a new hobby, prepare a different dish, or add something new to your morning routine? Starting something new stretches our mental muscle and this growth isn’t always easy. I’m pondering this idea, for I ventured into new territory with two different enterprises this week.
With these beginnings, I’ve concluded there are six steps in starting something new. Defining steps in a new venture helps you find your position in the process. Isn’t it helpful to name where you are and where you will go next? These six steps do just that. I’ll use the examples of my two new experiences to help explain. Ready?
- Decide to start.
Every action begins with a decision to take that course of action. This week, I began homeschooling my daughter. Before we opened up a workbook or sharpened a pencil, I needed to choose to be a homeschool teacher. This step is important; saying “yes” to one thing is saying a thousand “no’s” to everything else that could take up that time. This step is where you decide what is valuable in your life.
- Plan.
We might be tempted to camp on this step a little too long, however some time here is helpful. Planning isn’t taking action, it’s the pre-action stage. At this point in my decision to homeschool, I decided what I would teach and how I would facilitate learning. I adore planning and picturing outcomes in my mind. But, after a little prepping, it’s necessary to move to the next step. You might buy running shoes, plan a route, and set your alarm a little early. But, you begin running when you start pounding the pavement (or treadmill).
- Begin.
James Clear says to start before you feel ready. It takes courage to begin something new when you still want to stay in the decision or planning stage. But the momentum of a new choice begins when you begin. When day one comes, day two can follow. On our first day of homeschool, I had some notes scribbled and some activities planned. Day one began before I was completely ready. I had even postponed the start to best fit with our calendar (and because I was a little nervous). It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good start.
- Assess.
This is the step to ask questions. What is working well? What did I forget in the planning stage? Has a problem risen and do I need to brainstorm solutions? Am I giving this new endeavor enough time? Am I working smart? Is there a way to team up with others or outsource? This is the current step I am in with beginning homeschooling.
- Restructure.
Now you take your answers and do a little more planning. Since you already began, you know more about the commitment and what it takes to continue your work. Spend some time taking your answers from your assessment and reworking your strategy (you are now “in the know” of how to make this endeavor even better).
- Implement Changes.
In this last step, you make the changes you saw were needed when you assessed and restructured. It’s almost a new start, but you are making these changes with information you didn’t have in the beginning.
There you go! The six steps to beginning.
I’ll shore up this post with a review of these steps with the example of my other endeavor.
I was given an opportunity to babysit a baby girl. My decision to share my time and care for a baby was step one (Decide to start). Then, baby’s mom and I decided on the days and times, we agreed on a fee, she filled out an information sheet for me, and I dusted off the bouncy seat and washed baby toys (Plan). Day one was last Thursday (Begin). Then I continued to ask baby’s mom how to learn her baby’s cues and help her to be content in her new surroundings (Assess). I was having trouble settling the baby down at nap time. So I began thinking of new ways to soothe her (Restructure). And after I noticed the harder areas of the day and had brainstormed ways to help baby sleep, I tried new changes (Implement changes).
Can you find where you are in the steps in the new beginning you are currently in?
-Kassie Joy
This week Kassie is talking about starting something new…now this could mean a variety of things. However, my theme this week is bringing life into the world. So in a sense, starting something new!
-Mandy June Photography
