Starting something new is like getting into cold water

It’s May. The sun’s warm. I’m hot, sticky and tired from a long day. My shoulders ache, and my legs are restless from sitting at my desk. I’m standing on a pebbly beach looking at the sea: pancake-flat, perfect blue, infinite and oh-so-inviting.

I really want to go for a swim.

But this is Brighton, not the Bahamas, and I know the water will be cold.

I go for Classic Getting Into The Water Approach Number One: Bravado. I run in, splashing, flailing my limbs, swearing, ending up breathless, tense and in no fit state to swim.

The next time, a few days later, I’m more cautious. I opt for Classic Getting Into The Water Approach Number Two: Procrastination. I gingerly inch my way in, standing on tip-toes to avoid it hitting my stomach for as long as possible, and end up goose-pimpled, shivering and not wanting to swim anymore.

Both awful, stupid options. So I read about how people who know what they’re doing approach this. It’s best to walk in slowly but steadily, taking deep breaths and long exhales, so you can acclimatise without losing your breath, getting tense and sending your heart rate soaring.

I’ve been swimming a lot this summer, as part of a new routine now I’m my own boss. I’ve been doing a lot of new things over the last few months: new clients, new projects, new responsibilities, new partnerships. Sometimes, it’s felt like I’m standing on the shore looking at cold water again: I know it will be great, I know I want to do it, but I’m scared of that initial shock, of being left gasping for breath.

In the past, I’ve been guilty of approaching new projects in ways that look a lot like my Classic Getting Into The Water Approach Numbers One and Two:

1. Bravado: charging in without stopping to think, asking all the questions I need to ask, and ending up wasting time.
2. Procrastination: waiting, and waiting, and waiting to get started, hoping something would come along to make it easier.

I don’t want to make those mistakes again, so I’ve been approaching each beginning like I’m going for a swim:

1. Make sure I’m prepared. I ask a lot of questions, make detailed plans and get everything in place.
2. Prioritising so I don’t procrastinate. I take my plan, break it down into small unintimidating chunks and tackle them one-by-one. (My Bullet Journal has been amazing for this).
3. Breathing through it. Like many people, I hold my breath when I’m tense and feeling stressed. Noticing this and reminding myself to breathe has made a big difference in those moments where I’ve wanted to jack it all in and get a job again.
4. Reminding myself that while it will be painful at the start, it will get easier.

While you’re here, I’m running a conference as part of Brighton Digital Festival. It’s called Curio, and it’s about content and curiosity. I’d love to see you there.