Have you ever stood on a high diving board?

Or perhaps teetered on a ledge, with a bungee cord around your ankle?

Or maybe nothing quite that dramatic 😉 but still something that fills you with fear…

Then you’ll have felt the terrible grip of F.O.G.S™.

It’s my own acronym for a ‘Fear of Getting Started’.

It’s as if you’re suddenly paralysed.

What if it goes wrong?

What if I can’t do this?

What if…? What if…?

Instead of stepping off the ledge, you might do some deep breathing… give your arms a shake… step back a bit and gather your thoughts…

ANYTHING rather than jump.

It can take ages to make that crucial leap.

For some people, it’s all too much, and they climb back down.

Well, a similar thing sometimes happens when you start on any major project, like starting a business, writing a book, renovating a kitchen or creating your first online course!

So let’s focus on when you start to think about creating your first online course (because – biased though I am – I think it’s something that you really can and should do – whether it’s with my help or not!)

It can feel overwhelming; you end up dithering, faffing and procrastinating.

You spend too much time researching, reading, gathering information and zooming around the internet, hoping for shortcuts.

You do anything BUT the most crucial first step.

It’s all because getting started feels like such a BIG commitment, with loads of risk, just like the bungee jump or the high dive…

What if it goes wrong?

What if I can’t do this?

What if…? What if…?

Believe me; you are not alone in this mental struggle.

But there is a way to conquer it.

I call it…

The Art of Getting Started

There are five things you need to do if you want to get going on an important, major project like creating a course.

Not planned…

Not dreamed about…

But actually started in a meaningful way, without delay!

They are as follows…

1. Embrace Your Fear

At the heart of the matter is fear.

Fear of failure.

But you need to recognise that fear is a good thing because it’s a sign that you are challenging yourself and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone.

I know it sounds cheesy, but nothing worth doing is easy (well, in most cases!), so let this inspire you that you are on a genuinely life-changing path.

For every little doubt, take a little step towards your goal.

The more you face your fears, the less power they hold over you.

2. Break the Task into Bite-sized Pieces

The prospect of creating a course on your own for the very first time can be overwhelming.

It’s like staring up at a towering mountain, realising how far you have to climb.

And the idea of you being at the top of that majestic mountain seems utterly inconceivable.

Yet the journey becomes much less daunting when you break it down into manageable, bite-sized pieces.

Each small bit of the climb gives you a better view and sense of exhilaration that you’re actually fulfilling an ambition.

So set small, achievable goals for yourself.

Focus on one step at a time, and celebrate each milestone you reach.

Progress may be slow at first, but with every step, you’ll find yourself gaining momentum and confidence.

It’s a process I use throughout my Course Creation Academy, and my students consistently give feedback that it’s a breakthrough strategy for them.

Like Sarah who said “your training took the difficulties out of it and made it so simple” and Katja who messaged me to say “the info in this course is priceless. Really excellent advice if you want to create a course. Even if you don’t have a clue how to do it! All the tools are also shown and explained step by step…”

3. Embrace Imperfection

Perfectionism is a cheeky blighter that lures you into an endless cycle of postponement and self-doubt.

You’ll be afraid you lack enough skills, knowledge or technical abilities…

That you’ll make mistakes and strangers will spot them.

That you’ll be criticised or laughed at.

But the truth is there is no such thing as the perfect digital course.

I’ve not seen one, that’s for sure!

So rather than striving for an unattainable ideal, focus on your unique personality and life experiences.

Your imperfections can give your course uniqueness and character.

And any flaws in the product will soon be ironed out.

Better to start and get something imperfect out there in the world than not to start at all.

4. Get Support

It’s essential to surround yourself with a tribe of like-minded individuals who share your passion and drive.

Seek out mentors, peers, and friends who can offer encouragement and constructive criticism.

One immediate way you can do that is by joining my
Course Creation Academy. Just email at [email protected] and we can get you started.

5. Visualize Your Success

Imagine what it would be like to have your own profitable digital course.

Think about that passive income rolling in and what you might spend the extra money on.

Think of that sense of fulfilment and pride you’d feel having your own product online.

Think of what else you could create and sell online to grow this into a proper part-time business that gives you more time and freedom.

By visualising the outcome, you will find that getting started becomes much more urgent and pressing, helping you overstep that fear.

I hope these psychological tools give you the push you need to get cracking on your first course!

Remember, when it comes to F.O.G.S™, you are certainly not alone.