The concept of “Start Where You Are” is predicated on somewhat of an either/or proposition. Basically the wisdom is to not wait until you have a perfect situation to start doing what you want or what is best because then you never will. So start where you are and go from there. But what if the proposition isn’t either/or, do or don’t do? What if you are willing to start doing but what you’re doing isn’t working. Then starting where you are might not be the answer.
Perhaps the answer for the moment isn’t to do something, but to stop doing things. “Don’t just do something, stand there!” Because sometimes the answer really lies not in the Starting part of the equation but in the Where You Are part. Because where you are isn’t quite where you could and should be to launch off into what you really want. For example, every great project starts with an idea, either yours or someone else’s, but then there is prep work. If you don’t do the prep work than execution on the idea is going to suffer and fail. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t know what you want to do, then you end up just doing stuff.
Also, if where you are includes a healthy dose of misperception, sprinkled with old role models, other’s opinions, and left over labels you might want to clear up your space before you start heading out because nothing weights you down like old worn out baggage. Before you take on the next leg of your journey, throw out what you no longer need. Look at who you are, evaluate all the things that people have said you are, have wanted you to be, and have expected you to take on and see if they fit. If they aren’t helping you become who you want to be or get you where you want to go, get rid of them. If they are holding you back or harming you or keeping you from being happy, get fearless and let the go. With gusto if necessary.
Because sometimes you have to deal with where you are before you can get the party started.