You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
-Martin Luther King Jr.
My Thoughts: I tend to over-plan and freak out. If I don’t have every detail figured out I’m nervous to proceed. The last few years I’ve had to learn to be more spontaneous. (Yes I do still love my pocket planner.) I have some of my best adventures by just taking that first step. Saying yes to one date. Agreeing to take that one trip. Saying hello to one stranger. Building this one website all by myself. No one can promise that there won’t be pain at the top of the staircase, but you won’t know what joys are there till you take that first step.
Sometimes it’s hard to keep going when you don’t know that things will work out but trying new things is all about having faith that if you work hard enough you will get to where you are meant to be.
You have to take that step because just waiting for life to happen to you is not the way to live.
[bctt tweet=”You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.- MLK #Quotes” username=”Diadoll”]
Tell me about a time you made the choice to go for something new. How did it turn out? What did the experience teach you?
Carol Cassara
That’s one of my favorite quotes. I think it’s a big help when we are beginning something new and the unknown lurks ahead.
Candy
When I flew to Greece to surprise my boyfriend who was in the Air Force. Never traveled outside US. Had a blast
Dia
That’s kickass!
Dia
I totally agree!
Cori
Yay, you got a little pocket planner! (Planner-enabler here!) One new thing I’m doing is actually happening this weekend: Husband and I are going to a sports bar to watch a UFC match, meeting up with some of my coworkers. NBD to some, but the match doesn’t start until 9:30 pm. My bedtime is usually 10 pm. Guess who’s going to be sucking down coffee?
Jenny
My husband and I were just talking about this the other day, about how sometimes you have to stop “planning” and just go do it. We did this in a big way when my husband started his own business last year, and it’s turning out way better than we expected. Sometimes you just have to start taking those steps!
Kim S
Moving to Chicago with my (now) husband after only dating him for a less than a year. We were living in CA and I said “sure, lets take a chance!” We’ve been here now for about 9 years. We got married and have a house and 2 kids.
Bree Hogan
I love this quote. I needed to read that right now. Such a powerful reminder that we don’t have to have it all figured out, the plan will change, but we do need to take that first step. Then watch the snowball effect!
Roxy
I am very resistant to change and will avoid new stuff if I can (unless it’s clothes, shoes, or weave). I’m at a place now where I’m needing something new career wise. I’ve always thought medical school would be the plan, but the older I get the less it seems feasible. I’m try to find something new to do and I plan to fully embrace the newness of it all!
Courtney
I am also a serious planner and worrier, I always plan everything to the very last detail but its true that adding a little spontaneity into your life is a great thing.
La Belle Sirene
Angie Scheie
I always say the first step is the hardest! But focusing on the small picture sometimes moves you forward when you feel stuck!
Victoria Stacey
It is weird.. I work in events and have to be super organized for that. I’m the planner in my group of friends, and one friend wanted to go to a festival this weekend WITHOUT accomodation – we’ll just sleep anywhere. Um, no! But, at the same time, I try to be spontaneous. For my latest vacation, I went to Thailand with no plans, other than a few flights and 1 or 2 hotels booked.
Dia
Haha I tend to be the same way with traveling… it’s like no where are we leaving and where are we staying. But in this sense as far as getting things started…you never know if anyone will like your book but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write it.
Dia
I totally agree. Some things you can’t know until you are in it.
Dia
Or at least not having to have everything planned perfectly, because life happens and you have to roll with the punches.
Dia
Right sometimes you just have to trust that if you are trying your best things will be what you need them to be.
Dia
I wish you so much luck Roxy!
Dia
Oh that is amazing and totally makes my point <3
Dia
Right it will never be “the perfect time”
Dia
But I’m so sure you had fun. Cori I know you love your planners. I have kept a pocket planner for at least a decade. I recently discovered todoist and love it (App) but I still like having my pocket planner for other things.
Amber Starr
I’m an over planner and worry wart too. It definitely stops me sometimes but I’ve gotten so much better about just going with things now.