January 24

Overcoming the Fear of Beginning

Overcoming the Fear of Beginning

By Deborah Johnson

January 24, 2025

Deborah Johnson, fear of beginning, first steps, long term goals, momentum, overcoming fear, overcoming the fear of beginning, podcast, short term goals, start, start small

We’ve all been there—staring at a blank screen, a daunting to-do list, or the first step of a big project, feeling frozen by the sheer weight of beginning. Whether it’s launching a new career, starting a fitness journey, or writing the first sentence of a book, the fear of starting can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: beginning is the gateway to finishing, and overcoming that initial fear is the first step toward success.

In this article, and podcast we’ll explore the root causes of the fear of beginning, reframe how we think about starting, and provide practical strategies to help you take the first step with confidence.

1-28-2025
Women at Halftime by Deborah Johnson Overcoming the Fear of Beginning with Deborah Johnson 1-28-2025
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Understanding the Fear of Beginning

The fear of beginning is more common than we think. It often stems from three main sources: fear of failure, overwhelm and perfectionism. Starting something new can feel risky. What if it doesn’t work out? What if people judge you? These questions can paralyze us before we even begin.

Sometimes, the sheer size of a project makes it seem impossible to tackle. The thought of everything that needs to be done can prevent us from focusing on the first step. It’s hard to focus. For many, the need to get things "just right" creates a fear of starting at all. If we can’t do it perfectly, we think it’s better not to try. I have known those who had a very good chance of winning a competition  not submit materials because they hadn’t gotten their entry “just right.”

These fears lead to analysis paralysis, procrastination, and even self-doubt, trapping us in a cycle of inaction. However, once we understand these fears, we can address them head-on with a renewed mindset.

Reframing Our Mindset

To overcome the fear of beginning, we need to shift our mindset to a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset says, “If I don’t know exactly how to do this from the start, there’s no point in trying.” A growth mindset, “I may not have all the answers now, but taking the first step is how I’ll learn and grow along the way.” Here are some steps that may help you develop a growth mindset: start small, focus on the process and putting perfection aside.

The most intimidating tasks often become manageable when broken into smaller steps. Starting small not only reduces fear but also builds momentum. Think of a novelist who begins by jotting down one sentence or a runner who starts by jogging for just five minutes. These small actions pave the way for bigger accomplishments. Good books on this principle are Tiny Habits and Atomic Habits.

Instead of obsessing over the final result, focus on the act of starting. Celebrate the courage it takes to begin, knowing that progress is made one step at a time. Create some reward that you will look forward to, such as a cappuccino or 15-minute walk through a park. This approach shifts your perspective from perfection to learning and growth. My mid-morning cappuccino is often my reward for finishing an article or completing a tough step in a new project. Waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan can be a trap. Accept that your first attempt may be flawed, and that’s okay. Every new parent goes through this. When that baby arrives, most anyone who has been a new mom knows the feeling of needing to keep that baby warm and content. When crying occurs, which happens often, it’s okay! It’s part of the process. Progress comes from doing, not from waiting for perfection. Somehow, those little infants in our care grow up to be independent adults.

Practical Strategies for Overcoming the Fear

With the right mindset in place, you can take action to start with confidence. The first step is to set small and achievable steps, then visualize the finish line. This is where identifying short-term and long-term goals help. (download free goal setting worksheets) Goals don’t have to be huge to be impactful. They should just be specific with the ability to break them down into very small steps.

Big tasks can feel less overwhelming when broken into small, specific goals. For example, instead of saying, “I need to write a book,” start with, “I’ll write the first sentence, or a couple paragraphs.” Completing small tasks creates a sense of accomplishment and builds momentum. The task doesn’t have to be large. I recently talked with a friend who had put off sewing buttons on a garment. Even though this was a simple task, she knew it needed to be done. So there would be no excuse, she laid the buttons, thread and needle out the night before to finish the task the following day. Even with this small task, it felt good to get it done.

Take a moment to picture the task before you. Close your eyes and imagine how it will feel to be finished. Picture yourself crossing the finish line, holding the completed product, or celebrating your achievement. This visualization can provide the motivation needed to take the first step.

Create Accountability and Eliminate Distractions

Many skip this step or don’t feel it’s necessary. Momentum is easily lost when a period of time passes, putting off projects and goals.  Share your goals with someone you trust, even if it sounds crazy. Telling others what you plan to do not only provides clarity, but makes you more likely to follow through. Deadlines and public commitments can also help push you into action.

What about a coach? According to a PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Association Resource Center report, there is an average ROI, or return on investment, of seven times the cost of employing a coach. The role of a coach can be a mentor, a trusted friend who understands your goals or even an accountability group.

Eliminating distractions creates clarity and a clearer focus. Set up a workspace or tools to make starting easier. One of my tricks is to set my timer for cleaning off my desk. It is a project I don’t usually like to do as it takes time! But when a desk or workspace is cleared of clutter, our minds will be less cluttered.  (see the Marie Kondo books for this and also Deep Work by Cal Newport) As distractions are eliminated in our environments,  excuses are reduced and action is encouraged.

Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton (born 1990) is an American professional surfer who survived a shark attack in 2003, where her left arm was bitten off. Ultimately, she returned to professional surfing and wrote about her experiences in her book: Soul Surfer.

In the immediate aftermath of the shark attack, Bethany remained surprisingly calm but then grieved not only for the physical loss but the challenges it presented to her future as a competitive surfer. She wondered if she’d ever surf again as she had to adapt to a new way of living and performing even everyday tasks.

But she adopted a growth mindset. Little by little she dealt with setbacks, working with one arm, working on balance, paddling and approaching waves. Her deep faith and focus on gratitude, along with setting new goals of still competing were key factors in her recovery. She never gave up on pursuing her dream and in 2004, Hamilton won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete and also received the Courage Teen Award. 

Application

How can we apply this? To start, identify one thing you’ve been avoiding. Write it down. Next, create very small steps to not only start, but fully complete the project. Then, just as my friend laid out the materials to finish sewing buttons on a garment, plan for action on the first step. Your future self will thank you for having the courage to start!

Beginning is the gateway to finishing, and overcoming that initial fear is the first step toward success.ress.

deborah johnson

Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author

If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning

1,485 words

Deborah Johnson

About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.

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