While it seems perfectly logical to me to start a new blog with the theme of “Getting Started,” one quick Google search proved to me that it isn’t exactly fresh turf. Amazon alone has over 3,000 items with titles like—Get Started in: You Name It. Knitting Socks. Woodturning. Gardening. Running. Pyrography. (Pyrography?) Model Railroading. And on and on… If it’s something that can be done, there is a book out there somewhere to tell us how to start doing it.

This tells me that either A) many people are bursting with wonderfully creative ideas and just need to know how to begin, or B) lots of people want to think they’ll get started, but want to procrastinate a bit longer by reading a book about getting started. I tend to think it’s actually C) both of the above. And what ends up happening can be Analysis Paralysis.

It must be a big topic—all my favorite gurus spend a lot of time talking about it. In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert spends the first 27 pages describing our fears. Really, the whole book (which I adore, by the way, and will be reviewing next month) is about letting go of all that gets in the way of our “just making stuff.” Brené Brown writes and speaks of the twin-headed dragon of shame that prevents our taking risks: “Not Good Enough” and “Who Do You Think You Are?” And in her phenomenal Bird By Bird, Anne Lamott addresses writing blocks when she speaks of the one-inch picture frame. All you have to do is fill that itty-bitty frame. Tiny, bite-sized chunks. Oh, and expect the first draft to be rubbish—what she calls “the shitty first draft.”

Starting this blog has encompassed all of this for me. For more than a year, I’ve had a vision of exactly what I want it to be. I knew the title, envisioned the logo and color scheme, and listed dozens of potential topics. More than eight months ago, I bought my domains. And then it sat there. Ideas, ideas, ideas—but no product.

When I mustered the courage to explore why I hadn’t done anything with my ideas, I realized several things: 1) I sort of suck at time management. 2) I don’t want to learn the computer-techy-stuff necessary to make it exactly what I need. 3) I don’t have video editing skills. 4) I don’t know much about marketing and optimizing social media. And finally, the big “who do you think you are” reason: 5) I’m not an “expert.”

But looking at all that, I realized that I am an expert in my own experiences, and that other people are good at and love doing all the stuff I don’t want to do. Obviously, I needed a team!

I brainstormed. What am I good at? What do I love? I have a vision and a voice. I enjoy telling stories. I write. I have experience at public speaking. I love being connected.   

Shortly after I realized the necessity of assembling a team with precise skill sets, people with those exact skills began to materialize. I ran into long-time friend Michelle while I was out on a long bike ride, and in our catching-up conversation, she mentioned that she is doing videography. “Aha! Let’s meet for lunch…” At an art show, I talked with fellow photographer Jim, who happened to say that he is a website host. “Well, then, maybe we should talk…” Others appeared on the scene in much the same way, almost magically, and I began to see how all the pieces could fit together.

Before I knew it, I was sending out an email to take them all to lunch so I could pitch my ideas. I ended the luncheon with the question, “Is this a project that is worthy of your time?” I want people on my team who “get” my vision and are excited to help bring it into the world. As we move forward, I’m going to rely on them to keep me real, keep me focused, and keep me on time.

As for you, Dear Reader, I hope that you find the content worthy of your time, and if you do, please consider subscribing or becoming a member, and invite your friends to become part of this community, too. I’m so glad you’re here!

Until next time,