The hardest step of setting a new goal is figuring out where to get started. I hear this over and over again. I have an idea but I have no idea how or where to start! Help!  Help is here! I have three easy ways you can start on your goal today. Let’s jump right in!

While I was Watching the Olympics over the last two weeks, I found myself watching sports I have never watched before. I wondered, what were the original sports featured in the modern Olympic games? It took me a good ten minutes to realize, I had the answer at my fingertips. I grabbed my phone and Googled it.

Has this happened to you, too? You are wondering something and it takes you way too long to realize, hey I can just Google that! The same approach can get you started on your goal.

1. Google it!

Here are a few prompts you can search to start your goal Google search.

• How do I {insert your goal}
• Where do I get {an item you need for your goal}
• People who have {insert your goal}
• How much does it cost to {an action related to your goal}

Getting started on your goal often means doing some research. A quick Google search and reading the results gets you one step closer to achieving your goal. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, knowledge is power. With more information about our goal, we are better equipped to take the next step.

The knowledge we gain from a Google search can help in a couple different ways.  Research online can help us figure out the next step.  The information we find can help us better understand our timeline.  We can also find information that tells us what challenges to expect. Most importantly, what we read online can offer great inspiration!

{By the way, the original sports in the modern Olympics were track-and-field, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, wrestling, weightlifting, fencing, shooting, and tennis.}

If you prefer to gather insight while chatting over a cup of coffee, then talk to other people to start on your goal.

2. Talk to other people

We can learn so much from people who have done similar things. What you won’t get from a Google search but will get from talking to someone are the nuances of real life. Going after our big dreams can often be hard work. Especially when we still have all that life stuff to get done, too. Talking with someone who has been there before will give you insight into what it’s really like.

Here are a few of my favorite questions to ask someone about achieving a similar goal:

• Why did you decide to pursue this goal?
• What was the hardest part of accomplishing this goal?
• What part of working on this goal was the most fun?
• If you could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be?

Talking to someone about their experience achieving a goal similar to yours is one of the best ways to learn the real-life ins and outs of that goal. It’s the little things people share that you’ll never find online that can make your goal journey really spectacular.

If you’re thinking, Abby I already know a lot about my goal. But I still don’t know how to start achieving my dream!  The best action step you can take is to make a list. Sit down somewhere you can focus without distractions.  Grab a piece of paper or your laptop and write down everything in your brain related to your goal.

3. Make a list (or two)

Often we don’t take action on our goals because we are overwhelmed. There is so much information swirling around in our brains.  It’s too much and we get stuck in the inaction hamster wheel. You know what I’m talking about. You think you’ll start at one point and then you change your mind and think another point is a better place to start. As you’re about to do that, a third idea pops into your head and maybe that’s actually a better place to start. You’re going around in circles but not actually making any progress. This is the hamster wheel of inaction.

Hamster wheel of inaction:

thinking of lots of different things to do but not taking any action and not making any forward progress

So make a list! That is a starting point. Don’t know what to write on your list? Try one or two of these topics:

• Everything I know already about my goal
• Items I need to acquire to achieve my goal
• Skills I need to learn how to do to achieve my goal
• People I need to ask for help to achieve my goal
• My fears about working on this goal
• What I’m most excited about when I achieve this goal
• The things I’ve already done towards this goal
• Stuff I need to do to make my goal a reality

You know I love a good list. Writing down all the stuff taking up space in my brain means I don’t have to remember it anymore. It’s on paper now! Then I can start crossing off things on the list. Your list becomes an itemized action plan.

How to pick which step to take:

Consider what is stopping you from taking action.  Need more information: do a quick Google search.  Want to know what it’s really like: talk to someone who’s done it before you. If your brain is full of  lots of thoughts: write them all down.  Any of these three options will help you start achieving your goal even if you don’t know where to start.  Now you have three options to start today!

Pick one and start taking action on your goal today!

If you want more guidance on taking action on your goal or dream, download my free Goal Starter Checklist.