In life, you just have to start. Whether it’s a new project, a daunting task, or that 2024 New Year’s resolution, the key is to take that first step. Don’t overthink what can go wrong; push yourself to think about what can go right.
This mindset shift is crucial for overcoming inertia and achieving success. As the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This timeless wisdom reminds us that every great accomplishment in life starts with an initial action, no matter how small.
Consider the story of J.K. Rowling, who wrote the first ‘Harry Potter’ book while struggling with numerous personal challenges. She was a single mother living on welfare, yet she persevered and took that first step by putting her ideas on paper. Despite facing multiple rejections from publishers, she did not let setbacks deter her. Her story is a powerful reminder that starting, even under less-than-ideal circumstances, can lead to very extraordinary outcomes.
And those steps must be complemented with another essential ingredient: persistence.
Consider the story of Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak after leaving college and joining Atari. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Jobs remained a driving force behind the company’s success, shaping it into one of the world’s most influential and valuable tech companies.
And don’t forget about Dr Seuss, too. His first children’s book, ‘And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street’, was rejected by twenty-seven publishers. The twenty-eighth publisher, Vanguard Press, went on to sell six million copies of the book!
In conjunction with World Chess Day on July 20, let’s reflect on the words of Irving Chernev: “Every chess master was once a beginner.” This quote underscores the universal truth that expertise and mastery are built over time, starting from a place of inexperience. Every grandmaster in the world of chess began as a novice player, learning the basic moves and strategies before progressing on to more complex plays.
Obviously, this progression from beginner to expert is not unique to chess, but applies to all areas of life.
And World Chess Day is the perfect occasion to reflect on the value of persistence, too. With its deep strategies and complex moves, chess actually mirrors the complexities of life. Each game starts with a single move by the pawn, and the path to victory involves careful planning, and persistently learning from past mistakes.
Yes, starting something new often comes with a mixture of excitement and fear. The excitement comes from the possibilities of achieving something great. The fear, on the other hand, stems from the uncertainty, and the risk of failure. What’s important is to recognise that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a part of the journey towards it.
Also, when starting somewhere, we embrace the process of learning and improvement. It means acknowledging that those initial efforts may not be perfect, yet are necessary steps towards refinement and success.
In today’s results-oriented world, it is easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the perfect moment, or the ideal conditions, before starting something new. This will invariably lead to missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential, if we are to be constantly paralysed by the infinite ‘what-ifs’ and worst-case scenarios.
Let us instead celebrate the spirit of starting, and the persistence to keep going. Just as every chess master once did.
Dr Nahrizul Adib Kadri is an associate professor of biomedical engineering, and former director of Corporate Communications Centre, Universiti Malaya.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer’s and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
