Benjamin DeHass | San Fransisco, CA
One month into my cross-country move, I no longer feel the same rush looking out the window on my commute. I no longer feel the jolt of excitement badging in on Monday for work. This is not to say I resent these things, they have simply normalized. Some would argue the first step in a journey is the hardest. I understand their perspective, but the evidence for this claim is weaker than it first appears.
I do not believe the first step is where a journey begins. A journey begins as an idea, which becomes a plan. Even in that minimal process, the first action does not occur until step three. This does not account for iterations, discarded ideas, and confirmation of the research. So yes, the first step takes courage, but the motivation from your small actions provides a snowballing boost that lowers the activation barrier, similar to a warm start in optimization.
In optimization, a warm start initializes an algorithm near a feasible solution, instead of an arbitrary initialization. These starting points are often derived from similar optimization problems and serve to reduce the iterations to converge by starting closer to the optimum.
By mapping out your first step, it seems less scary than initially thought. This is valuable for starting a new journey, but what happens when that barrier regains strength? Motivation and planning can only last for so long; after that, you must rely on the systems built to carry you over the next barriers. It is for this reason I believe the second step on an adventure is the most difficult. You are past the point of high motivation, but not yet to the point of increased momentum. There is no deterrent stopping you from quitting. From here, you are entirely self reliant on training and willpower.
The warm start has successfully carried me through the first step. The boxes are unpacked, the routines have been set. From here, the challenge does not let up. I must maintain momentum without the novelty. All that is left is to iterate towards the optimum, one choice at a time.