Never be afraid to start all over again

Do the thing you fear the most and the death of fear is certain. — Mark Twain

When I thought of starting to write my book initially I was scared that it would be a failure. Then I thought of the first time when I had the same thought while travelling in mountains. I realized my fear of heights during rappelling exercises. On that fine morning, when the instructor showed how rappelling is done, it looked very easy and smooth. As I ascended the rock and looked down, my heartbeat fastened and I felt I would fall and die.

My legs were jammed like shivering in one place and even though the trainer kept saying it is safe and nothing would happen, I feared either the rope would break or loosen and I would injure myself. I waited there and after a while, mustered up some courage and went. I was all set for rappel with harness in place around my waist and positioned myself along the edge. But an sense of unease prevailed for what was about to come next and I prayed for this experience to get over at the earliest.

But as I started the descend as instructed and the sense of uneasiness started washing over. Though I was steady but it was not a smooth ride. After a point, it became tough due to the shape of the rock and exhaustion only worsened it. Instead of listening to the instructor, I hastily stepped at what seemed like a sure footing and hit the rock. Thanks to the helmet, I did not hit my head.

As I hit the rock, I lost my balance and kept hanging loosely from the rope. Due to this, the rope tied around my waist tightened and my arms continued to scrape and bruise along the rough edges of rock. I completed remainder of the process by scraping and hanging as I was too nervous to place my feet back on the rock. When I finally touched ground, I was relieved. I was in pain, not only because of the bruises on my arms and waist but also as I had torn the sleeves of my top. I was upset because only a few people got injured and I was among them. I felt weak and that lowered my self-esteem.

It was only after two days when the pain subsided, I thought it was better to have suffered this pain than not having experienced it at all. Had I given up initially, I would have only known that I fear heights. But by going through with this adventure, I knew for sure that I will overcome it eventually. The thought of facing my fear and overcoming it was far bigger than the pain suffered in the process.

Of course I had the same resistance and fear while starting this blog. But when I looked back to my first experience in adventure sports and how I have evolved since then, I just knew I have to start writing, no matter the results. Because even if I may not succeed immediately, with continuous effort, that will happen. Start in a small way whatever you want to start. It will grow your confidence in yourself. Many people have this starting trouble with anything.

Whenever they want to start something new, but then questions like “what we do if fail”, “what will people (char log) say” click there mind and then a loop of thinking start and they do nothing. Things they do wrong is to overthink things they want to start. Sometimes they don't have reasons to start. Giving more importance to that "char logs". If start, do everything on the first day.

Things they should do is not to overthink. You can ask yourself ”how/why this work is important for you”. This will gives you proper reason. Adopt 2 min rule ( "Bund bund se sagar" rule). Start by doing that work for 2 min only on first day, then gradually increase times. After some times it will become a habit. Don't think but just do that. Cheers!