Today's TQ

Daily Lessons in Intentional Excellence
Friday, April 3, 2026

Just Can't Get Started?

Having a difficult time with a project? Start some action on it anywhere. Get yourself into some kind of action.

Sometimes enthusiasm needs to be generated. As you get yourself in gear, you'll start to generate enthusiasm and momentum.

Today's TQ Challenge: Stop Getting Ready to Get Ready. Find a Way to Get Started.

Choose to be RESOURCEFUL! Do you find it is easier to keep going once you've started or to get going?
Choose to be CREATIVE! What project are you having difficulty getting started on?
Choose to be SELF-INITIATED! For which difficult project can you find a task, no matter how small, that you can begin right now?

There is no greater reward than accomplishing a difficult task. However, you can't complete a project if it never gets started. Procrastination can take a million clever forms -- but so can action. Instead of putting things off, find clever and imaginative ways to get started somewhere -- anywhere -- even for a few minutes. Take some action to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

"Money will come to you when you are doing the right thing." ~ Michael Phillips

Think about it. How well and how often do you actually DO Act Now Factor 10B?

"I use clever and imaginative ways to get started on difficult tasks or projects."

A high commitment (10B rated 8 or better) suggests you're someone who loves a challenge and invents clever ways to get things started. Knowing the difficulty of the task at hand, you immediately attempt some kind of progress as soon as possible -- even when you have no idea how it will turn out. You brainstorm different directions to get started and explore any options available. With every small bite into the project, you make some kind of progress. You build a little more momentum, gain additional information and begin to develop the final action plan for how to complete the entire project.

On the other hand...

A lack of commitment suggests you have trouble getting started on difficult projects. Too often when faced with a daunting project, you find it hard to start. You tend to focus on the time, effort and the difficulty involved. Unfortunately, while you are convincing yourself why it will be so hard to get started, you fail to argue the alternative. It may not occur to you to: Get more information; Ask for advice; Brainstorm possibilities; Invite others to help; Make a written plan; Do a little each day; Delegate parts to others; Organize your materials; Or find a way to make it a little more fun!

What happens when you CHOOSE to do Factor 10B a bit more frequently?

The more difficult the task, the sooner you start and the sooner it's done. You accumulate performance positives like "Resourceful, Creative and Proactive" -- immediately moving you towards the results you expect.

What happens when you FAIL to consistently do Factor 10B?

You will never make significant progress in your career until you can handle any project that comes your way. Negatives like "Intimidated, Uncertain and Apprehensive" start to take their toll on your performance -- quickly moving you away from the success you want.

Now Ask Yourself This...
Is Factor 10B Causing You Problems?

If you believe this factor is a key performance obstacle -- and that it's preventing you from realizing your personal dreams and goals -- then you need to improve it.

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