Here’s an interesting blog post about “starting over” I came across and wanted to share. How about you guys … what do you think is the hardest part about starting over?
What Really Happens When You Start Over
by Jeff Goins
Nobody likes starting over. At least, I don’t know anyone who does. But sometimes life forces you to reboot, whether you want to or not.
Sure, there are those rare, crazy ones who love the thrill of a new venture. But if you’ve spent any time building anything, you know that uneasy feeling in your stomach when you have to begin again. It’s hard.
This is why so many people stay in jobs they hate or keep going back to the same old, unhealthy addictions that leave them broken. It’s easier that way.
But there’s something beautiful about starting over, something liberating about beginning again. And I’d like to encourage you consider a fresh start in something this week.
Back to zero?
I just had a conversation with someone who is having to start something over. She’s worried that it means going back to zero. Not true.
When you start something new, you’re not really beginning completely fresh. Your past experiences, failures, and successes have all taught you something. More than you realize. And knowing what you know now means you aren’t starting over. You’re just beginning again.
That’s what I learned with this blog, which was the result of quitting another blog I had been writing on for four and a half years. I wasn’t quitting and going back to the drawing board. Instead, I was building on a foundation.
I had spent years writing online with few people paying attention. When I started over, I feared I might be wasting my time. But I was wrong.
All those years, I was practicing. Preparing. Waiting for my big moment. Maybe you are, too.
Do something new, now
When was the last time you did something for the first time? Do you remember what it felt like? It was probably a little fun, possibly even thrilling. I bet it required some hard work, too.
Maybe it’s time to do that again. To take a risk. To break a rule. To start.
If you don’t know where to begin, you should read Seth Godin’s book Poke the Box, which is one of the best books I’ve read on the subject of starting things. …
Maybe you’re in a season in which you feel like what you’re doing is all for naught, that you’re doing all this work and nobody’s paying attention. But maybe that’s not the whole story.
Maybe you’re being prepared for a season that hasn’t come yet. If that’s the case, may I encourage you to do one thing?
Show up.
Even when the fruit isn’t there… show up.
Even when the critics tell you to quit… show up.
Even when you’re tired and tempted to throw in the towel… show up.
If this is a time of preparation for you (and not a time to start), do the work. Show up. Because what you are doing is sowing — that’s planting seeds, for you non-farmer folk — and though you may not reap them for some time, the work you’re doing is not pointless.
Stay the course, be brave, and your season will come.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
So true. I’ve thought about this for David and I hope he’s fully appreciating the opportunity he’s got right now to do what’s right for him. I want that FOR him more than anything I want what FROM him.
🙂
Interesting article. I think the hardest part about starting over is the starting part. And I was actually surprised how fast David started writing music, tweeting, Instagramming etc., so soon after he got back. He’s really something.
And thanks for that quote at the top about patience. I am trying to be patient but can I just say how much I miss hearing him sing live. I know we all do. For some reason, I find that it’s harder now that he’s back. I think I’ll bawl my eyes out whenever he does sing live for us for the first time. But he is so worth waiting for. 🙂
I’m surprised how soon he hit the ground running, too … in fact, song listed already!
What a great article TOfan>>> good for me right now as I have just finished a REALLY busy time and I feel that I have the chance to begin again…. refocus on my creative pursuits and spend less time just spinning my wheels by looking at Pinterest, going up into my studio instead…THIS>>
“Show up.
Even when the fruit isn’t there… show up.
Even when the critics tell you to quit… show up.
Even when you’re tired and tempted to throw in the towel… show up”
As this applies to our fave singer…I think he has his foundation that he was talking about built now and can slowly do his thing>> and I am def waiting for it. My waiting includes taking a step back though from sites and twitter etc…. just going to be here in this cozy little David corner that you have created (((TOfan))) for the good friends and good humour!!! (and D of course)
That top quote about patience…. perfect for David IMO
Interesting TOfan. I’ve always liked fresh starts, new directions because they never begin at zero. And very interesting to see you talk about “seasons”. This on twitter!!!!
Gray
@GrayAAA
New song? SEASONS written by @DavidArchie @Dustinonline and @stephaniemabey on ASCAP pic.twitter.com/ytcZGssyG4
*high-five* DJ, I just saw that too! Man, he’s moving fast!
Wonderful article TOfan. Resonates perfectly, of course, with David’s career restart.
I’ve started over career wise in the last two years and it is definitely as exhilarating as it is scary… like getting on a roller coaster knowing there will be hills, thrills, dips and curves but not knowing where I will get off. I can either build my own dream, or someone else will hire me to build theirs. lololol 😀
I’ve kept a list of inspirational quotes that I pull out periodically. The one that has me in its thrall currently is from Helen Keller: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.” So with David’s career I decided to walk through the door now open because dwelling on his past is like an anchor holding me back. I have to let it go to embrace the new David adventure.
Shout out to Ref! Miss all of you! Hoping we get a reason to meet up soon.
Many good thoughts in this article, and many more in the comments. Starting over is daunting, but at least it comes with experience still in the bank. When David says he feels “fresh,” I think I know what he means. I like fresh starts too. Some of my New Year’s resolutions on are on repeat.
The quote on patience definitely describes David’s brand of patience and is the perfect companion to the starting over process. Paradoxically, if you Google up “patience” you can get 44,600,000 results in .24 seconds. 🙂
ROFL @ that factoid 🙂
And can someone please remind me how ASCAP works… do you need to have an actual demo to get an ASCAP listing? (*mind leaps from demo to song leak* 🙂 )
“This is SAz and I approve of the content of this hair progress.” LOL! You noticed too, huh?
Sidebar alert? What?!? I’m not saying a word. [Muffled “EEP!”] Nuh uh. That wasn’t me. You didn’t hear a thing. Short hair is great! You didn’t see me here. I don’t do hair critiques. No siree bob. Seriously, count me out. Hair and who? Don’t know him. [eep!]
“No siree bob” HAHAHAHAHAHAHA .. you KEEL me!