Every day, I try to write good content for you – something that will entertain you and motivate you to take the next step in your journey.
But today, it’s been a huge struggle.
I’ve trashed several emails, while at the same time beating myself up for how long I’m spending on this when I have so many other things to do.
I feel the pressure welling up in my chest and my gut.
That familiar stress of trying to run and build a business. With customers and clients and partners and employees and family all dependent on me to deliver for them. And no safety net as the sole breadwinner.
It’s not easy.
But when I catch myself thinking my life is tough, because of stress, or the market is against me, or there’s too much competition, or it’s scary to take risks or it’s uncomfortable to ask investors for money, I remind myself of something:
To remind myself, I think of my ancestors.
Like John Stewart.
When he was a boy in the 1680s, his family lived through “the Killing Time” – when Scotland’s government mercilessly hunted down Covenanters, the radical Presbyterian group they belonged to.
The family sought safety in Ireland, only to be besieged inside Derry for 105 days by James Stuart’s armies during the Williamite War – known as the Glorious Revolution in England, but really a vicious religious war throughout the British Isles.
Presbyterians then faced persecution in Ireland. So, in 1718, John’s entire church left to seek religious freedom in Boston. But they were too radical for the English Puritans, who forced them to move to the very edge of British settlement in New Hampshire.
There, they carved a new town and farms out of the forest, while defending themselves against native Americans who, for obvious reasons, didn’t want them around either.
So, during the first 40 years of his life, John Stewart survived 2 wars, religious persecution, a perilous 2-month North Atlantic crossing in a tiny wooden ship, religious bigotry, and frontier conflict. And he also had to help build a new town from scratch just to survive.
If John Stewart could survive all that, then I can write an email.
If I can sit down and write an email, you can take whatever step you must to get started on your journey.
No matter how hard it feels.
It’s not actually hard.
Once you get started, momentum will take over.
But you have to start.
So, whatever it is that you’re afraid to do.
Whatever it is that you’re putting off.
Just start it.
Now.
