It was drizzly and cold. And getting dark.

The day had gotten away from me, and I still hadn’t done the hike that I’d planned.

Truth be told, I was pretty wrung out from the day… and the week.

What I really wanted to do was put on a cozy sweatshirt, settle into my favorite chair, and read a book.

But I know better, I told myself.

I put on my trail running clothes, laced up my shoes, grabbed a rain jacket and stepped out the door.

“I hate this,” I said out loud as I turned to look over my shoulder at the warm lights from the house.

The woods glowed in the dusk light, a mysterious fog among the trees. The wet leaves under foot filled the air with the unmistakeable smells of the late New England fall.

Ten minutes in, I felt like a brand new human. Revived. Restored. Renewed.

Deleriously happy.

Five miles later, I shook off my rain gear, and stepped into the warm house.

Remembering what is perhaps one of the most important principles in life: The first step is the hardest step of all.

Going to the gym; writing a book; pivoting a career; climbing a mountain; running in the rain; having a difficult conversation; writing a blog!

Starting is hard. Inertia is a thing.

But when you start out, you overcome that inertia; create some momentum; and the momentum feeds on itself.

So many people think you need to feel motivated to do the thing. That’s bullshit, I’ve discovered. Motivation arises after you begin.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote, “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.”

That thing you’ve been wanting to do but waiting for the right moment to do it? Start now.