Starting is the Key: Take the First Step!

By Layo Obidike

Today was a milestone for me and my children. For the first time, I took them out for a morning run. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but had never quite made it happen. We already have a routine of dancing together at home as a form of exercise and family bonding, and we’ve gone on walks and evening runs before. But for some reason, the idea of starting the day with a run together seemed like an exciting and meaningful way to kick off our mornings.

So, this morning, I decided to make it happen. I woke them up 30 minutes earlier than usual, which, let’s be honest, wasn’t the easiest thing to do! Of course, they grumbled, and there were plenty of excuses—after all, it’s not every day that they’re asked to get up early for a run. We took some extra time to make sure we were dressed appropriately for the weather, but the most important thing is—we did it.

The experience was a reminder that starting is the hardest part. Getting going is often filled with resistance, excuses, and fears. But the joy of taking that first step, of pushing through those barriers, was worth it. We may not have run a marathon or set any records, but we set a goal, took action, and accomplished it together.

The next challenge, however, is consistency. Starting is one thing, but staying consistent, especially with something new, is a whole different journey. I know it won’t always be easy to keep up the habit, especially with busy mornings and unexpected obstacles. But today, we’ve set a foundation, and that’s something to celebrate.

So, I want to ask you—what’s something you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t started yet? Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for weeks, months, or even years, but you haven’t taken the first step. It’s another Monday—a fresh start. Take one small step today, whether it’s imagining your goal, making a phone call, sending an email, drafting a proposal, or simply taking time to plan.

The most important thing is to focus on taking action this week. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be perfect. But if you start, even just a little, you’ll be closer to your goal than you were yesterday.

Let’s embrace the power of starting, and remember, consistency will come with time. The journey may be long, but it always begins with the first step.

Layo Obidike builds transformative ecosystems at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and communication. A serial founder, strategic communications architect, and digital innovation advisor, she has a proven track record of launching and scaling impactful solutions across diverse sectors.
As the visionary behind platforms such as LOP, ThriveonEntrepreneur, The God’s Treasury Cooperative, and The Spiritual Woman, Layo blends deep expertise in content systems, business infrastructure, and growth strategy to empower brands and ecosystems across Africa—and beyond.
Through her flagship platform, layoobidike.com, she curates actionable insights on strategy, communication, and digital positioning. She helps founders, policy leaders, and growth teams translate vision into velocity. Her work sits at the intersection of clarity, execution, and impact—making her a sought-after voice in the future of African enterprise and thought leadership.
Connect with Layo on LinkedIn or explore her ventures and writing at layoobidike.com.

Layo Obidike