Embracing the Journey: The Power of Starting
When you think about the monumental impact of YouTube, it’s hard to believe that the very first video— “Me at the Zoo” — was just 18 seconds long and featured co-founder Jawed Karim standing in front of elephants.
It’s simple, unpolished, and, frankly, not that exciting.
Yet, it holds a pivotal place in the history of online content. Why? Because it marks the beginning of a revolution — a reminder that every great endeavour starts somewhere, often in a very unremarkable way. We have to start somewhere. And the best place to start is right at the beginning because the growth will be even more sweeter + visible. You will look back at yourself and think " WOW I DID THAT THING! "
But the key is START! START the thing. Because if not, you'll instead always think " Damn I wish I started... that thing, that business, that weight loss programme, that YouTube Channel (the list goes on and on for non-starters). You owe it to yourself to live the life you were truly meant to be living. But it starts with you.
The Importance of Starting
In a world that celebrates perfection, it’s easy to feel paralysed by the pressure to create something extraordinary from the get-go. We scroll through Instagram and TikTok, witnessing polished videos, stunning graphics, and expertly crafted stories. This can lead to an overwhelming sense of fear and imposter syndrome, making us believe that we are not good enough to share our own voices.
When I started this blog, I was scared to even write a simple blog post, through fear of pressing that publish button and worrying what people would think.
I'm not that good a writer, I ramble, I'm very wordy, I can't send a simple text message, my text messages are like mini essays, I use a lot of comma's (like here) - Infact in my head, I'm so many things that I wish I wasn't and full of those horrible self doubt, negative talk thoughts that creep in with pretty much everything I do. So much so, that I was SCARED to write a meaningful post that had a little piece of me in it, because I was sacred of being judged. And so for 2 years, I didn't. Even though I knew that by the time we moved to Bali, we could have a full salary forged from earning money from blogging with this blog. But instead fear paralysed me. I wrote some blog posts that meant nothing to me, just about some former travel we'd done, that were surface level chit chat (which is just not me - I don't do small talk very well) and the blog posts flopped.
But here’s the truth: every creator, every innovator, every game-changer started with that first, often imperfect step. “Me at the Zoo” was never about brilliance; it was about taking action. It was the seed that planted an idea, igniting a platform that would change how we communicate and connect.
And this is my seed - my first YouTube Video - the seed that will sprout into a sapling - and eventually grow into a YouTube channel that is earning us money Because we just took action.(and you can watch this journey to see where w're up to with that growth here). And often that action is the hardest thing you'll do on the whole journey. But I promise you this: that action will be the best thing you ever did for yourself.
Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome
Fear is a natural part of the journey. Whether you’re starting a YouTube channel, writing a blog, or launching a new business, doubts will creep in. “What if I fail?” “What if no one cares?” “Who am I to do this?”
I grew up with family members saying "Who did I think I was?" - it lead me to make myself smaller, to dim my light, to not want to be seen. To not want to be seen to show off or celebrate my wins. It led me to never acknowledge just how marvellous I was. Needless to say, when I started my self love journey and Shadow Work Journey 10 years or so, I removed those people from my life. Never ever dim your light!
But back to the issue at hand, these negative self questions can be paralysing, but they’re also a signal that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone—an essential part of growth.
Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. It tricks you into believing that others are more deserving of success than you are. The truth is, everyone experiences it at some level. The key is to acknowledge those feelings and push through them. Embrace the fact that no one starts as an expert. With each small step you take, you’ll gain confidence, learn new skills, and discover your unique voice. With my own YouTube Channel Growth Journey, I have committed to making each video just that little bit better than the one before. A new skill learned so that each baby step of progress that I take, by the end of the process I am armed wit a whole toolbox of awesome skills that I apply to every video without even thinking. At the time of writing this (23rd Sept 2024) I have a lot to learn with editing, coming up with interesting hooks and creating my thumbnails... and that's all ok. This is a process and a learning journey. If you are feeling the same way, please don't think that you have to be perfect to start something, because you don't. Truth is, even when you are pretty darn perfect, that old negative self doubt speak will still creep in and you'll never actually be ready. So override it, tell it to F**k Off and just start the thing!
Committing to Yourself
Now that you've started something. The real magic happens when you make a commitment to yourself. Choose to show up, even when it’s hard. Dedicate time to your passion, whether that means creating content, starting a fitness journey, or learning a new skill. Set realistic goals though - don't overwhelm yourself with goals that are just too big to acheive - set SMART Goals that get you from A - B
Celebrate the small victories and wins - they will keep you going, and remember that consistency trumps perfection. If you're going to do it. DO IT! Consistency is KEY. The YouTube Algorithm for growth rewards consistency.
Reflect on the journey of countless creators who faced the same fears you do. They didn’t wait for the perfect moment; they created it through determination and persistence. By committing to yourself, you open doors to transformation. You’ll not only change your life but potentially impact others along the way.
A Call to Action
So, what’s stopping you? The next time fear tries to hold you back, remember Jawed Karim standing in front of those elephants. His video may not have been groundbreaking, but it was the first step in a journey that led to billions of videos and countless opportunities for others.
Embrace the idea that it’s okay to start small. Your first attempts may not be perfect, but they will be significant. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—create it. Commit to your growth, and watch as you evolve in ways you never imagined.
Watch my first video: I'd cried that morning with the fear of what we'd done! I didn't look my best, yet I was putting my swollen cryey face in front of the camera for the world to see. Talking about a subject that I didn't really believe anyone would want to watch. It turned out only 300 people saw that video in a world of billions, so it's not so bad. But it was the best thing that I did. People saw me at my low ebb (not my lowest - there's been way more of those ;-), But they saw me at my lowest and so the only way from there was up. That first video was more than just my first video. That video is my recorded proof and testament to me SHOWING UP for myself, OVERCOMING FEAR, the first steps in OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME, and now that i'm on my way to monitizing my Youtbe Channel - The Importance of Starting.
Remember: every expert was once a beginner. Your story is waiting to be told, and the world is ready to hear it. Start today, and let the journey unfold.
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