About this quote

Fear often looks huge in the seconds before you begin, and it pushes you to delay. Do you notice your breath quicken or your hands stall right at the edge? Make a tiny move to break the hold — open the file, speak one sentence, take a single step. Repeat that habit and starting gets easier; the fear will still come, but it won’t control the choice to begin.

When to use it

• Before I send the investor pitch email, I tell myself the line out loud and then I hit send.
• On the first night I open my dissertation document, I say it to my roommate and type one paragraph to get going.
• After my ankle healed, I whispered the line while lacing my running shoes and stepped out for a short jog.
• When I call my estranged sister, I remind myself that moment is normal, then press the call button.