The first step is always the most challenging part. We sit around thinking, "what should I do" - and then get stuck in more "overthinking."

I've found myself caught up in this cycle more often than not. I have so many big ideas, but getting started has been the most challenging part.

Here's how I broke that toxic cycle and how I believe you can as well!

When we get started towards our goals, nothing can stop us. But the most challenging part is getting started because of a series of human issues that most people experience.

I believe that once you get this, you will experience a massive breakthrough in your life! You will become an unstoppable force of action taking like I've become lately! I know you will!

I'd love to hear from you in my #GrowYourLife Facebook group about how this goes: facebook.com/groups/growyourlife

You can also schedule a free 15-minute call with me at jeremiahkrakowski.com/freecall .

1.) Realize that inaction is addictive.

This will be a hard truth for some people: The anticipation of taking action is addictive.

The POTENTIAL of action, the potential of doing something, is extremely addictive. We love having "potential" almost more than success.

This is why we hoard things and don't use them. This is why we don't take action. 

We prefer the idea of taking action over actually doing anything because of chemicals in our brain that get us high off potential!

They have found that people are more addicted to the potential of doing something more than actually doing it, and it's a very human thing. So you have to break this addiction on purpose.

Realize: there's no benefit from sitting around in your potential and doing nothing. You have to use what is inside of you and start to do something.

A big part of this addiction is the overthinking cycle!

2.) Break the overthinking cycle and get started!

When we sit around overthinking, we wire our brains to think that we are doing something productive. We are just sitting around daydreaming.

I believe that brainstorming and daydreaming in small amounts can be extremely productive. In large quantities, however, it can be the most toxic, unproductive thing that ever happens!

It becomes idle thoughts at that point!

Here's a hack that can help you break the cycle: take action 90% of the time, and reward yourself for taking action with SMALL brainstorming sessions.

So now, you can give yourself small doses of that addictive cycle (yes, not all overthinking is bad).

That good feeling you get from discovering potential - and thinking of new ideas - you can give to yourself in small doses.

It can be extremely healthy that way. You will be taking action instead of just thinking about ideas that you have. Then you will reward yourself with thinking of new ideas after you take action!

3.) Action is the only way that dreams come to life.

When we get started, instead of overthinking, we end up manifesting what we dream of. Those things that you've spent hours daydreaming about can only come to reality when you take action!

You have to realize that the only way you will reach any goal you have is to start doing something.

Start taking action.

I don't mean burning yourself out or striving to the point that you experience health challenges at all.

I also don't support using guilt and shame to motivate you to take action. Don't ever feel ashamed that you've been stuck in these cycles, do better next time.

Start to take action.

4.) Take ownership of why you are where you are.

Ultimately, it would be best if you took ownership of why you haven't moved forward. The only reason you've been stuck where you are is that you've chosen to stay here!

The only reason anyone is stuck is that they've chosen to be right where they are.

No one else is to blame for why you are where you are today - except you!

Might bad things have happened to you? Sure. But it's your responsibility to pick yourself up and choose to do something differently. You're the only one who will help you grow out of what happened in your past.

The book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink was instrumental for me in changing this cycle of blaming everything else around me.

You are not responsible for how other people feel, and other people are not responsible for how you feel!

It's time to step up and take ownership of your life instead of trying to blame things outside of yourself for it.

5.) Action beats fear.

Just because you are afraid doesn't mean that you should listen to that fear.

If you've been fear-driven for a long time, you have to be intentional not to allow your fear to keep you stuck or afraid!

It's time to get up and stop letting fear keep you in a prison of your own thoughts.

When we take action, we look fear in the face and tell it that it has no more power over us.

This may be the most challenging thing we do in our entire life! But it's the most worth it!

Do the thing that you're scared of while you are afraid. It may even hurt to do it. When I started taking action, I would get stomach aches, and my head would hurt while I took action! Now, those manifestations don't happen anymore!

6.) Figure out what you're really scared of.

The only reason we don't get started taking action is usually related to a hidden fear, deep below the surface.

In the book "The Big Leap," Gay Hendricks talks about four reasons main of us limit our actions:

1.) We believe we are inherently flawed, so we don't get started until we become "not flawed."

2.) We are afraid of outshining other people, so we shrink back and don't get started until it's safe.

3.) We fear the pain that success might bring, so we avoid getting started because of the believed pain.

4.) We fear that if we move forward, we will be disloyal to those who brought us to where we are today.

Most people have 1-2 of these things, but most never have all 4.

When you can identify which one resonates with you, you can usually trace it back to some experience that told you that you shouldn't get started.

You've allowed it to keep you stuck up until this moment in time. It's time to change those limiting beliefs. 

7.) Forgive the past and move forward

All of us have had challenging experiences. In the end, we have to forgive the past, both ourselves and other people - and realize that what happened before isn't going to happen again.

This doesn't mean that we go back to the same situation or even trust the people who hurt us. Boundaries are critical to have.

It means that we no longer allow our past to keep us stuck, and we are now moving on. 

Our past pain has been a comfort zone long enough; it's time to move forward!

We must not stay stuck and in inaction simply because things didn't work out perfectly last time.

It's time to get up and take action!

In conclusion, once you grow in these areas, your entire world opens up to you!

You may experience the same cycle again - but when you are AWARE of the issues, you can break the cycle a lot more quickly next time!

Don't allow the trap of perfection - and the need to do everything perfect keep you stuck. Things happen. Keep moving forward!

Don't beat yourself up when the cycle happens; instead, be thankful that you get an opportunity to do better this time!

Start taking action and get started today. That's where the magic happens.