I'll start my new diet/workout next week.

Suuuuure you will…

When you rationalize to yourself, “I’ll start tomorrow…next week…when I get back from my trip…after that thing ends…when I’m not so stressed out…etc.” I’m pretty sure you’re really just saying “I’m not ready to commit to this yet, but hopefully, I’ll be ready then – even though I probably won’t be.”

True story. And you know how I know that? Because I’ve done it, too! We all do.

But maybe you really are planning to start tomorrow, next week, next month, etc. And if that’s truly the case, and you’re not just procrastinating, then I must ask, what are you doing today – right now, even – to prepare for it? How have you set yourself up for success? Have you even thought about it? Have you set a goal, made a plan, or told someone else about your commitment? Or, have you just put it off and decided you’ll handle it later.

Because if that’s the case, then that’s the problem! And it’s likely the same problem that got you into this predicament.

So, if I may ask, why wait?

I mean, life doesn’t wait for you to be ready. And the people who succeed at virtually any pursuit don’t wait for conditions to be perfect before they get started either. They take action and do what it takes to move the dial towards their goal each day.

And if I may be so bold to ask, why would you hold out on yourself?

Well, it can be for all sorts of reasons, which I won’t get into here for brevity sake. And besides, you probably already know why you’ve been procrastinating on that thing you’ve needed to do for awhile now.

So, let’s cut right to the chase with a solution.

The Solution for Fitness Procrastinators

If you’re struggling to start something important, then here’s the strategy I’ve found that works better than anything else…

Make the process of starting as easy as you possibly can. And I mean easy. Like brain-dead easy. So easy that you’ll practically laugh at yourself about how easy it is.

Want to become a daily walker or runner? Start by walking for one minute – just one minute – the first day. Like I did here.

Want to start eating healthier? Replace one calorie-containing beverage with a glass of water once daily for a week.

Want to start lifting weights? Do one set of pushups when you get up each morning. Or, try this easy workout.

Want to quit drinking? Just tell someone, for starters.

Want to start something that intimidates you like yoga? Start by spending one minute focusing on your breathing like this.

The point is that whatever it is that you decide to do, make sure that you’re 100% sure you can comply with it.

And here’s the cool part. For a lot of people, getting started is the hard part. But once you finally do get started, all you have to do is keep going. It’s called momentum, and it gets easier with practice. Those little victories will eventually add up to bigger victories and you’ll amaze yourself at the results you will experience with simple baby steps.

Summary of Take-Home Point

So, to summarize, all you have to do is start with one small step – one tiny immutable goal that you will not compromise on. Start here and now. And make it easy. So easy that you know with 100% certainty not only that you can do it, but that you will do it.

That’s how you get started today. And that’s a much better start than waiting until tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, or never. Because the truth is that you’ll never be more ready than you are right now – in this moment. So, go ahead. Take that leap of faith. You can do this.

And you know what? Before you know it, it’s going to be next week, next month, or next year, and you’ll find yourself wondering “how did I get so far and so easily? That wasn’t hard at all.”

It’s called “baby steps,” people.

So, take the leap, and make it happen. Because you’re worth it, and we’re counting on you.