Start Moving Those Hands (How to Get Started When You Can’t Get Started)
If you know me, coach with me, or have occasionally read my posts, you’ve probably gathered that I’m a sucker for the Rocky movies — you can add the Creed movies in there as well. I am not the least bit embarrassed to say that I love all of these films for their ability to inspire, motivate and lift us to a place where all things are possible.
One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from the movie Rocky Balboa. Sylvester Stallone re-introduced us to the character about 15 years after his championship days were long behind him. As his son is whining about life not being terribly fair, Rocky says:
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!
I absolutely love this quote and it’s carried me through some tough times. But this quote isn’t the only great quote from that movie… Naturally, there’s a fight scene at the end of the movie. There’s a point at which Rocky seems almost paralyzed in fear. He’s not fighting back. He’s not defending himself. If you watch it, you’re wondering what’s going on in his mind. Finally, one of his trainers yells from his corner “Start moving those hands.”
Something about that line resonates with me. In fact, it’s served me in a very different way. I love my work and I particularly appreciate my morning routine and how I get my day started. I start with a one mile walk with my dog, go for a run or bike ride and then 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing and 20 to 30 minutes of presentation practice.
But I can’t deny there are days when I’ll sit down to start to write and be almost paralyzed. What should I write? What do I have to say that could be of value? What’s happening that’s interesting and on and on it goes. Similarly, there are days when I know I have to do the more challenging elements of my work. As Joshua Mecalf, one of my favorite writers says, it’s time to do the hard work of mastery in the dark. And it can be a struggle to get started.
Whenever I’m in those moments, I think of that same trainer yelling to me “Start moving those hands.” It tells me to just get started. Whatever I’m about to do doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be magical. It just has to be Action. Because from action will come more action. From that action will come something like what you’re looking for. Eventually, you’ll even get to exactly what you’re aiming for.
So, having trouble getting started? Start moving those hands. Just get started. The rest will follow.
