Archive for November, 2009

The First Step is Not the Hardest

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Six months ago my boyfriend bought a 1976 Honda CB750 motorcycle to tear apart and build back up as a café racer.

Now, I have no idea what’s involved in that (I’m lucky I can fill my Civic with gas) but this is what I do know: He hasn’t touched that bike.*

All I kept asking was, what’s stopping him from taking the first step, and taking one piece off that bike?

And here’s what I think: The first step is not the hardest.

The hardest thing is letting go of the all of the BS that makes you so comfortable day in and day out, the stuff that serves as a mind-numbing distraction so you don’t focus on that new project. It’s easy to watch TV, or go out (or stay in) drinking, or play on the computer. The hardest thing is letting go of the creature comforts we turn to that are so enticing, so immediate, in exchange for the unknown future.

Or as my wise friend Amy pointed out: Sometimes we let things that may seem more important (like cleaning the house, or making doctor appointments, etc.) get in the way, and we put all of the “other more important” things in front of stuff that we really want to do and that would actually be fun/productive because we think that we can’t indulge. I love that she used that word, because I think we sometimes feel bad doing something that serves no other purpose but to bring us joy.

Back to my honey: What he might not realize is that the unknown—the new motorcycle—is an opportunity—for a stress-relieving hobby, a side passion, an education—that might go away some day because of “distractions” that really matter a few years from now (i.e. his business takes off, he has kids, etc.).

He needs to make a commitment to himself today that instead of going downstairs to watch Top Chef, he’s going to spend time on his bike, taking it apart one piece at a time.

So here’s some career advice before I go: If you’ve been reluctant to “take the first step” in your career goals, think instead about how you’re going to shift your focus away from your meaningless distractions, and invest your time in something that will leave you inspired.

*P.S. To be fair, he did take off the mirrors about a week ago.

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