As you’ve thought about that creative project or that Maker’s business you are ready to begin, it’s possible you’ve had many doubts or fears about getting started.

I can relate in so many ways to those feelings of doubt, intimidation and fear of starting something new.

All sorts of doubts, fears and intimidation surrounded both Murray and I as we began to make the creative projects we were passionate to share with the world.

It seemed each day began with a new list of questions that would pop up to discourage us or try to stop us from getting the work done.

A couple of questions both of us had in the beginning were:

• Are people going to like the creative pieces I make? There are so many skilled people in the world who are making similar art projects, how will mine be unique?
• I don’t have all the proper tools to make this right now. Could I get started and make those creative projects without having all the professional tools on hand?

These thoughts went around and around in our heads and hindered our progress for a little while, until we understood the importance of starting from where you are.

Start From Where You Are

Learning the truth of this statement, took each of us in different directions.

For myself, the passion to write brought me to a passion to learn. So I began reading many blogposts, listening to podcasts and reading books on the subject I was excited to begin. Writing was both exciting and terrifying for me all at the same time.

I’ve shared before of my insecurities and fears when I began learning to write. I had a huge need for someone to validate me and tell me I was good enough to be a writer.

Perfectionism and the Procrastination were trying to stop me from writing. And I discovered I was using both of them as my excuse to either slow down or stop writing completely.

Finally, the day came when I realized I didn’t need someone to pick me — when I had an aha moment that I could choose myself and that my writing didn’t need to be perfect to begin — that was when I had my first big breakthrough in my writing journey.

That was the first time I learned what it really meant to start from where you are.

The following quote has often encouraged me and helped me say no to excuses that have consistently tried to slow me down.

 

“Start from wherever you are and with whatever you’ve got.” Jim Rohn

 

My husband Murray learned the truth of starting from wherever you are also, but his journey took him in a different direction.

His search began as he watched videos on Leather and Wood design projects other makers were working on.

As Murray began to find topics he was interested in, often there were tools or software programs that he saw that he was convinced would make a better product.

One day as he was watching videos on YouTube of people building guitars. The one builder made an great product. This guy had a shop that had professional tools that my husband didn’t even know existed. There were vacuum clamps that would hold the guitars while he worked on details of the pieces he built… it was impressive.

After watching that video, Murray was left thinking that he would need a whole lot of tools to build a proper guitar.

Later, my hubby found another video of a guy making a guitar. This one however was quite different. He watched a guy in a refugee camp in Africa using a hand saw and a hammer and you guessed it… he was making a guitar.

He made the guitar and it played.

The guy in the refugee camp built a guitar with two simple tools and it got the job done.

Murray said watching that video, reminded him to stop whining and to work with what he had on hand. He could always grow from there.

Now, when he gets discouraged thinking about what he doesn’t have, he remembers the guy in the refugee camp building a guitar with only two tools and is thankful for the many blessings in his life.

No matter where you are right now, you can start working on your creative project.

Always start with where you are and with what you’ve got. Don’t be focused on what you don’t have. Rather, think about what you do have on hand in this moment.

Fall in love with your idea and begin it today.

Question: What are some thoughts that are holding you back from beginning to build your project?  Please do comment below, we’d love to hear from you! 🙂