A lot of folks are providing top ten lists for the year and even the decade. I am skipping those on my blog and ending off the year a simple statement; start today.

You don’t need a resolution, a mission statement, or the perfect set of people to accomplish what you want to do. You don’t need a set amount of money in the bank, the right time at your job or life, or even for whatever event is going on right now to pass. You don’t need permission, you don’t need official approval, and you certainly don’t need a book telling you what to do. You probably do not need a course or how-to guide, a newsletter, or video series. You don’t need the perfect background, you don’t need the perfect business plan (man how that will change over time!), you don’t need a 3 year projection or budget. You most likely don’t need the amount of money you think you do. You don’t need to incorporate, you don’t need business cards, you don’t need a “website tonight”, and you don’t need to max out your credit card. Heck, you don’t even have to wait for the new year – pledge to start 12/31/09!

The biggest psychological hurdle in doing something is always the first step. If yesterday you were “going to start something” then tomorrow you should simply start saying “I started something.” Try it out and see how it feels – you will be amazed at what happens next.

There is no big difference between saying you are going to do something in the future, and they saying you are doing something today, but the psychological hurdle is tremendous.

Everyone has a different first step, but the best way to begin is to start today.