Somewhere between the decision to change your life and the first step forward lies a fragile, often overlooked space: the moment before you begin.
It’s the quiet pause before your first morning run, the second before you open a blank document, the final breath before clicking "Enroll Now" on a course that intimidates you.
That space? That’s where most people get stuck.
This blog post is for that moment.
Arnold Bennett, in his timeless book How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, identified the importance of this stage in a chapter called "Precautions Before Beginning." While the book was written in 1908, the principles behind this chapter ring just as true today—perhaps even more so, given the overwhelming noise and options of modern life.
As a self-improvement author and coach who’s worked with thousands of people, I’ve seen firsthand how people sabotage their growth before it even starts. The enthusiasm is there. The desire is genuine. But if you don’t mentally and emotionally prepare, you’ll hit walls you never saw coming.
Let’s look at 10 crucial mindset shifts—modern-day “precautions”—that will help you avoid burnout, build momentum, and actually stick with the path you choose.
1. Aim for Progress, Not Perfection
Perfection is a trap disguised as ambition. If you wait to be perfect, you’ll never begin. Or worse, you’ll begin and burn out the moment you don’t meet impossible expectations.
Instead, commit to progress. Show up. Try. Get better. You don’t need to leap forward every day. Sometimes, a shuffle is enough.
Years ago, when I first started writing for a public audience, I was paralyzed by the idea of making mistakes. What if someone criticized my grammar? What if the structure wasn’t perfect? I nearly didn’t post my first blog. But I did—and it was far from perfect. Still, it resonated. That taught me that authenticity and effort matter more than flawlessness.
2. Expect Resistance—Welcome It
Change feels unnatural because it is unnatural. Your brain is wired for efficiency, and new habits are inefficient at first.
You’ll want to quit. You’ll second-guess yourself. That’s not failure. That’s friction.
Knowing this ahead of time gives you power. When resistance shows up, don’t panic. Say, “Ah, there you are. I was expecting you.”
I remember the first time I committed to waking up at 5:30 a.m. to meditate. That first week was brutal. My body resisted. My mind screamed. I negotiated with my alarm clock like it was a hostage situation. But I kept going. By week three, I actually started to look forward to it. Resistance doesn’t mean “stop.” It means “keep going.”
3. Keep Your Goals Tiny and Specific
“I want to get healthy” is vague and overwhelming. “I will walk for 10 minutes after lunch on weekdays” is doable.
Clear, small actions are far more powerful than grand but undefined intentions. Why? Because the brain loves clarity and simplicity.
I once had a client named Leo. He wanted to meditate for 30 minutes every day. He never made it past day three. We pivoted. His new goal? One mindful breath a day. It sounded ridiculous—but it worked. That one breath led to five, then ten, then five minutes. Within three months, he had a consistent 15-minute practice.
4. Create a Safety Net for Failure
You will mess up. You’ll skip days. You’ll hit slumps. That’s human. What matters is how you recover.
Plan your comeback before you fall.
Ask yourself: “When I inevitably miss a day or two, what’s my plan to get back on track without shame?”
One of my favorite tricks? A "bounce-back plan." I allow myself one day to miss a habit, but not two. That’s it. Simple, but powerful.
Back when I was developing my writing discipline, I built what I called a "soft reset protocol." It meant that if I missed three days in a row, I would do a "half-day ritual"—journal, re-read my goals, take a long walk, and restart gently. It worked every time.
5. Tell Someone You Trust (But Not Everyone)
Accountability is a game changer—but too much of it can be a trap.
Don’t announce your big goal on social media unless you’ve already built a foundation. Early external validation can replace real internal motivation. Instead, tell one or two people who will support you without judgment.
Bonus: ask them to check in on your progress every two weeks—not every day. You want encouragement, not pressure.
When I was writing my first book, I told only three people. They didn’t ask for updates. They didn’t pressure me. But they were there to cheer me on when I needed it. That made all the difference.
6. Design Your Environment for Success
Your environment should support your goals, not sabotage them.
Want to read more? Put a book on your pillow. Want to eat better? Keep healthy snacks visible. Want to journal every night? Leave your notebook open on your nightstand.
Make doing the right thing the easy thing.
I reworked my entire home office to support my priorities. No TV. Whiteboard on the wall with my goals. Diffuser for focus. Even my desktop background reminds me why I do what I do. These small cues make it harder to forget what matters.
7. Let Go of “All or Nothing” Thinking
One skipped workout doesn’t mean your plan is ruined. One missed journaling session doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Life is messy. Your growth plan should be flexible, not fragile.
Success isn’t built in a straight line. It looks more like a tangled web with forward momentum. Don’t break the thread when it bends.
I remember trying to learn the guitar in my twenties. I missed a week of practice and told myself I had “failed.” So I stopped. Years later, I learned to reframe: “A missed day is just a pause, not a reset.” That mindset changed everything.
8. Expect Boredom—and Plan Around It
Self-improvement isn’t always sexy. Some days it’s repetitive, boring, and hard. That’s part of the process.
Prepare for boredom like you’d prepare for a rainy day.
Keep a list of "backup habits"—simpler versions of your routine for low-energy days. Can’t run 3 miles? Walk around the block. Too tired to write? Record a voice note.
When I trained for my first half-marathon, the excitement wore off after week four. I dreaded the long runs. So I started listening to an audiobook I loved—but only during runs. It gave me something to look forward to. A small mental trick that made a big difference.
9. Know Your “Why” (And Revisit It Often)
Motivation fades. Your “why” is what carries you when motivation leaves the room.
Why are you really doing this? What’s at stake if you don’t change?
Write it down. Read it weekly. Tattoo it on your soul.
I have a digital journal entry titled “Why I Started.” I read it every Sunday. It reminds me that my work isn’t just about productivity—it’s about purpose, legacy, and love.
10. Start With Self-Compassion
You are not a machine. You’re a complex human being with seasons, moods, responsibilities, and surprises.
Self-growth doesn’t require punishment. It requires partnership—with yourself.
Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a friend. Encourage, don’t criticize. Reflect, don’t ruminate. Progress thrives in the soil of self-kindness.
After years of coaching, I can say this with full confidence: the people who grow fastest are not the most disciplined. They are the most forgiving. They bounce back. They move forward.
Final Thoughts: Your Journey Begins in the Quiet Moments
Starting is not just about action. It’s about alignment. If your mindset isn’t grounded, no strategy will stick.
The moment before you begin isn’t empty. It’s full of potential. It’s a sacred threshold. Cross it with awareness. Cross it with intention.
And remember: You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to begin—imperfectly, honestly, and with the deep knowing that this is your time.
Because it is.