The hardest part about writing anything new is the first few words. The thoughts going on through the head swirl around and keep you thinking without taking action.

Once those first few words get out, the rest of it just flows and there’s no need to think about it anymore. The mind does enough processing during the day and being able to let the subconscious go to work is the gift of that labour.

Every time I sit down to write anything, this is the battle that must be fought. Steven Pressfield calls it “The Resistance,” Julia Cameron refers to it as a creative block in need of recovery — I just call it for what it is: procrastination.

The hardest part about any project is getting started. Once you get the ball rolling, just the first few steps, it all starts coming together.

A writer must start a new project every day as they look at the blank page. There’s no room to overthink if they’re going to keep coming back. Each day, they must simply put their thoughts, egos and insecurities aside to just write those first few words.

The endless books, posts and discussions about process, tools and focus guides mean absolutely nothing without the ability to start. 

Motivation can only bring you to that point, but cannot take you further.

It’s up to you to write those first few words.