How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters

by Michael Bungay Stanier

“Piercingly frank, funny, gorgeous, vulnerable, and ultimately really damn helpful.” (Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times best-selling author of How to Raise an Adult)

Unlock your greatness. Set a goal that matters to you — and to the world.

With The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier penned the bestselling coaching book of the century. With The Advice Trap, he showed you how to tame your Advice Monster. Now, he’s here to help you reclaim your ambition and motivation to become your best self, driven with purpose and meaning.

If you are ready to get unstuck, to figure out what you should do that matters, to unlock your best self, to take on a project that you know is yours — you need to know How to Begin.

This is your practical guide to finding the focus and courage to set a Worthy one that lights you up, compels you to grow, and serves a bigger game by being thrilling, important and daunting.

With humor, compassion, and laser-focused clarity, Bungay Stanier walks you through a tested process

Find and refine your Worthy Goal to meets three integral criteria. Strengthen your Worthy Goal with three tests — and a single word that takes it from Good to Great. Get clear on your commitment. Build the resources to cross the threshold and begin. How to travel in small steps to ensure that you progress. Find the four types of people you need to travel with — and the fifth you should consider. And a good deal more.
This book is for you if....

You’re at the start of your adult life, and you’re fired up to live a life of meaning and impact.

You’ve achieved things in your career, and it’s now time to “climb the second mountain” and think about legacy.

You’re unhappy with how the world is working right now, and you want to change your part of it for the better.

You’re a coach, and you want to support your clients to be great and do great things.

You’re ambitious, but feel you’ve never been given full permission to find and strive for a Worthy Goal.

It needs you to begin, and start doing something that matters.

***

“Of particular appeal for those of us who instinctively recoil from self-help woo-woo and just want to get on with doing Great Work that leaves the world a bit better than we found it.” (Courtney Hohne, Chief Storyteller for Moonshots, X, formerly Google X)

“A friendly voice and a guiding hand.” (Austin Kleon, New York Times best-selling author of Steal Like an Artist)

“Piercingly frank, funny, gorgeous, vulnerable, and ultimately really damn helpful.” (Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times best-selling author of How to Raise an Adult)

“Eminently practical, clever, delightful, and beautifully rendered – a non-fiction Where the Wild Things Are for adult dreamers and doers.” (Whitney Johnson, best-selling author of Smart Growth and Disrupt Yourself)

“I loved this book, and that's coming from a gal who's never been big on goals.” (Liz Wiseman, New York Times best-selling author of Impact Players and Multipliers)

“Powerful, magical and compelling. We don't need more time, we simply need to decide.” (Seth Godin, author, The Practice)

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Productivity, Psychology, Personal Development, Leadership

Audible Audio

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

Hi - I'm a book reader, writer and lover.

I'm best known for *The Coaching Habit*, the best-selling book on coaching this century. (Close to a million copies sold!)

I'm also the host of the podcast *2 Pages with MBS* where brilliant people read the best two pages of a favourite book.

Reviews

[John Stepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the rare books/workbooks where I did all the exercises. Simple but not easy. Well-written, helpful, practical. Great examples made the ideas relatable. I am glad I took the time to actually use the book as intended, as it helped me clarify my intentions and aspirations.

[Dan Slone · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Begin doesn't directly present new insights for anyone who has read a lot of self-help books. The steps to begin have been stated repeatedly. MBS offers a series of questions based on these steps. Frankly, I usually skip the blanks that follow these questions in books. But I stopped and answered these. Not with deep analysis, but I did answer. Then, after each question, MBS walks the reader through his answers to these questions regarding his big goals. And each time it caused me to think deeper about my answers and achieve new insights. This book was really helpful in getting me started with a plan, a set of steps to overcome fears, and a confidence that I am at work on my big goals!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

چون اودیوبوکش دم دست بود و میشد حین فعالیت گوش داد گوشش دادم.
کتاب داشت چندتا فاکتور اصلی برا اینکه چیکار کنیم و از چی لذت ببریم یا نبریم می‌گفت. چه چیزایی برای هر هدف مهمه و حدودا باید چیکار کنیم رو اشاره میکرد. یه سری تمرینات هم داشت و مثال هایی میزد. خیلی هم تلاش میکرد خودش رو از سایر کتاب های سلف‌هلپ جدا کنه. ولی خب یکمم فرق داشت چون باعث شد بعد از تموم شدنش اومدم ای‌پابش هم گرفتم ببینم چه مدلی یه سری چیزا رو نوشته.

Worthy becomes more accessible as a standard when you understand its three different elements: Thrilling, Important, and Daunting. They’re the primary colours that allow you to paint the picture of your ambition. If you have all three of these in a goal or a project, you’ve got something intriguing on your hands.

Even with the equations on your side, it would be a mistake to stride “confidently in the direction of your dreams,” as Mr. Thoreau would have us do. You have to be smarter than that when you sally forth. You have to know how to make progress and also how to mitigate the risks you’ve identified. You don’t want to confidently walk over a cliff edge.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really sure why I felt the need to read this one lol it was okay. It was like coaching to be in the right direction.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Bungay is a thinker. I'm better off for reading his book as I search for another big harry audacious goal.

What my 👂 heard ⤵️

I'm restless about playing it safe I feel the sterns of new ambition
whatever your itch I'm really glad you're here
following through on a challenging deliverable
a worthy goal is thrilling important and daunting
big bold change the world dreams
I have been dealt the cards of privilege
the ambition felt not mine it was inherited you could say
you may have a sense of your ambition but you haven't found an outlet for it yet that ambition might burn bright and hard or it might be shy and quiet But you know it's there and when it finds its home cool things are going to happen
I should be doing wanting achieving claiming this is a heavy Stone many of us carry
give more to the world than you take
I fumble over the right language
I have 20 years of identity invested
take a brave stab
saying I want to solve racism is too abstractively aspirational
verb you're worthy goal adjective buffet
perfection is just misery dressed up in fancy clothes
it's strong like titanium
double clutching
add up the ways we collude against our own ambition
it's a bit brain twisty like a double negative
probably speaking the price for not taking on the worthy goal is The maintenance of what you've gathered in your life so far you'll protect and keep hitting vulnerabilities and insecurities prizes for not taking on your worthy goal might include not disrupting the way others see you or disappointing the expectations they have of you not having to challenge your own limiting stories about yourself not stepping out to the edges of your own experience confidence and confidence and finding ways to let yourself off the hook or to play small or keep being a victim or stayed disengaged or be cynical.
a lot of my ideas are largely untested
fell faster to succeed sooner
I'm a high performing lucky amateur
bleedingly obvious / profound
people feel good when they make regular progress on stuff that matters to them. when they feel good they're more likely to make progress. small steps lead to good feelings lead to small steps. the virtuous circle strengthens and rises.
take courses to fill in my many blind spots
who demands better of you
he knows some of my vulnerabilities
my dad is a great man and he's lived his life well. he's had worthy goals and he's reached them
she can tell a story without wasting a word
she has a heart as big as a whale

[Carter Hemphill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a useful book defining a project or life's goal, with some useful tips and anecdotes that go beyond mere common sense. It's more of a workbook where you'll get more out of it if you follow the author's path. The author's example seemed less relevant to me (e.g., starting a podcast, handing off reins as CEO) and would have preferred a more reasonable goal.

[James Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic - I am always inspired by MBS's mastery in distilling and translating complex concepts using simple, elegant, and playful prose. Read this book if you are trying to start anything meaningful. You will learn something while laughing your behind off - so why not?

[CatReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief book presents three criteria that together constitute a system for deciding whether certain goals are worth doing. These criteria are all reasonable and well-supported using two of the author's personal goals that he details throughout the book. This book probably isn't very useful to people who've read dozens of books on productivity, goal-setting, and purpose-finding, and with its brevity, it might have been better suited to an article or (irony semi-intended) a 1-hour podcast episode.

Also, I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author, and the background music during certain passages was definitely a *choice*. It seemed like a page taken out of Youtube videos where the creator wants to be serious for a moment and plays dramatic music in the background for certain scenes. Except the parts where the music played in the audiobook were neither profound nor important.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters" is a motivational self-help book.

It offers practical advice and strategies for individuals who want to make a meaningful impact in their lives and the world around them. The book emphasizes the importance of taking action and starting small to achieve big goals. Berg provides insights into overcoming fear, procrastination, and self-doubt, encouraging readers to embrace failure as a learning opportunity.

Through inspiring anecdotes and actionable steps, "How to Begin" empowers readers to identify their passions, set clear objectives, and take the first steps towards creating a fulfilling and purposeful life. Overall, it serves as a guide for anyone seeking to make positive changes and pursue their dreams with confidence and determination.

[Travis Standley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book on not only getting started on goals but making sure our goals are important, inspiring, and scary enough to us so that we stay after it. This book has practical advice on overcoming the resistance attached with any creative endeavor (a theme in the last few books I’ve read). We each have creative genius in us that is so easily snuffed out by fear and the like. This book is a good framework on cutting out what doesn’t matter, garnering a network of honest support, and just plain being bold..putting our works out there to be seen.

[Michael Wolcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read but for some reason I started and stalled on it. It’s not as good as his other books in my opinion. Helps with some elements about goal setting, understanding out direction, and how to accomplish that. Provides some good suggestions.

[Dawn Murray]

A quick audiobook hit of inspiration. I need to spend some time on the website and thinking further about the exercises (which I did quickly as I drove), but I liked this. A good read to kickstart into action.

[Mr R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engagingly written and reasonable content. But could have been much shorter

[Maria Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, l will need to re-read this book, lots of thought to go into it, and planning.

[翰林院编修]

网评不好

[Jung]

Worthy goals have three distinctive qualities.

So Worthy Goals possess certain qualities – to get even more specific, they possess three distinctive qualities. Every Worthy Goal should be daunting, important, and thrilling. To get a better grasp on this, let’s look at a person’s life. We’ll follow him from boyhood to adulthood, and, as his life unfolds, let’s see if his life goal possesses those three qualities – if it’s truly a Worthy Goal.

Reader, meet Paul. Paul is a sweet, sensitive, intelligent boy. He does well in school. He studies hard. In his spare time, he loves to draw, to play piano, and to daydream. By the time he’s 18, when it’s time to head off to college, he has lots of options. His parents, pragmatic people with their heads very much not in the clouds, gently urge him to choose a “safe” career – and sweet, sensitive Paul, not wanting to disappoint his family, acquiesces. He goes to med school, does exceptionally well, and becomes a doctor.

And his job is fine. It’s definitely not boring. He has to solve new problems every day. He’s constantly learning and improving.

It’s also valuable. Not just in terms of his paycheck, though that’s definitely a factor. Paul believes that one should be of service – that one should give to the world more than one takes from it. He often reminds himself of this. He’s proud to be of service to others, though he’s not necessarily burning with passion for his work.

So, here’s the question. Does the goal that Paul has spent his life pursuing – the life that he has chosen for himself – count as a Worthy Goal?

It’s definitely daunting. There are new challenges every day – life-and-death situations requiring great mental and moral strength. It pushes him, expands his limits, keeps him evolving, which is what a daunting goal should do. And it’s obviously important. He’s serving others in the most dramatic way possible: saving lives. He’s giving back, improving the world in a palpable way, which is what it means for a goal to be important.

But is it thrilling? Remember, all Worthy Goals possess three qualities, and being thrilling is the third. It should be exciting. It should speak to your values. It should be bold, fun – something you don’t have to do but that you want to do.

And here’s the thing: Paul has an itch. Deep down, he feels that being a doctor is not good enough. Something’s missing. He just can’t put his finger on what that something is. Maybe you feel the same way. We can do better than ticking two out of three boxes.

Imagine a three-legged stool with one leg shorter than the others. Can you use it? Sure, it works. But it’s always going to be uncomfortable to sit on, and it’ll never hold the full weight of your ambition and talent.

So how can we improve that wobbly three-legged stool? Let’s keep that image in mind as we move in.

---

Check your goal is feasible before moving forward.

OK, you’ve got your first draft down. Bravo. Now it’s time to put your Worthy Goal through its paces.

Think of it as a stress test. How sturdy is it? Does it support the weight of your ambition, or does it look like it’s going to wobble? We’ll start with the spouse-ish test.

Here’s the idea. You’re going to run your idea past the person who knows you best. It’s spouse-ish because it doesn’t have to be an actual spouse. It could be your best friend, or your sister, or your partner. Point is, they’re someone who’s heard it all – your jokes, your dreams and ideals, your hang-ups. They have a sense of who you are, what you stand for, and where you are in life. They care.

Your sketch is still on paper. It sounds great, but it’s still abstract. It could easily stay there, tucked away in a drawer, but you’re about to change that. You’re going to both make yourself accountable and give yourself a reality check. Scary? Sure. Necessary? Absolutely. We all have our blind spots. Catching problems early is going to save a lot of heartache later on.

So what can you expect? Chances are, you’re going to hear one of three things from your spouse-ish person. “Yes, brilliant – do it!” “No, that’s nuts – don’t do it!” Or “Yes, it’s a great idea, but you’ve been talking about it forever; just do it already!”

Look out for extreme reactions. Positive feedback isn’t a green light, but it’s a great sign that you’re on the right track. Nor is a negative response a red light – it’s simply a warning telling you to check you haven't missed something important .

That brings us to the second test – fitting your project into the Goldilocks Zone.

If you know the fairytale Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you’ll remember a little girl trying three bowls of porridge. One was too hot; another too cold; the third, though, was just right.

In astronomy, there’s what’s called the Goldilocks Zone. It’s the part of space near a star where a planet’s water remains liquid. If a planet’s too close to the star, the water boils off. If it’s too far away, the water freezes. In the Goldilocks Zone, you have liquid water – the precondition of life as we understand it.

Some goals are too small and granular. Being in bed by 10 p.m. is a good example. Others, like finding happiness, are too big, too abstract. What you’re looking for is a goal that feels just right. Your project should fit into a Goldilocks Zone, which is why this exercise is called the Goldilocks test. You’re looking for that perfect balance – meaningful but realistic, inspiring but doable.

So, how did your Worthy Goal fare after the stress tests? Still wobbly? No worries – just go back to the sketch and make the necessary tweaks.

---

Don’t get caught in endless planning – take action, and as you do, evaluate your progress.

We’ve covered a lot of ground. Your goal has been drafted, redrafted, refined, finalized, and tested. In short, you’ve done your due diligence. You’ve cleared the biggest hurdle. You’re ready to begin.

That means leaving the planning stage and actually doing the work. Remember, endlessly reworking to-do lists can be a form of pseudo-action – it’s a way of tricking yourself into believing that your procrastination is achieving something. The key is to actually move forward.

If it’s a book you’re writing, write it one page at a time. If you’re building a community organization, fund it one phone call at a time. Ongoing commitments to small steps of action make the difference. So take the necessary actions.

Chances are, you’re going to be working on your Worthy Goal for a while. Depending on your project, it might take months or years or even decades. So, it’s important to take time out to evaluate your progress.

If you want to maintain momentum, it’s a good idea to take a break every six weeks. That’s enough time to make real progress but not long enough to wrack up serious sunken costs.

Take a few days off to evaluate the previous weeks. What are you happy about? What went wrong? Do you want to continue with this project? If so, what’s your target for the next six weeks?

Breaking your Worthy Goal down into small chunks like this makes it feel much more achievable.

We owe it to ourselves to make the most of our time on this planet. That means doing something that matters. No one can tell you what that might be. You have to decide for yourself. The best way of figuring that out is to set a goal for yourself and put it through a series of tests. Is it thrilling and challenging and important? Do the people who know you best think it’s a good idea? Is it better than the status quo? If the answer to those questions is yes, you might just have found a Worthy Goal.

[Tracy Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you having trouble taking the steps necessary to achieve your worthy goal? If yes, this book will help. Lots of attention on how our fear and mindset can hold us back.

I appreciated the quote from environmental powerhouse Greta Thunberg:

‘I know so many people who feel hopeless, and they as me, “What should I do?” And I say “ACT”.

As you identify what’s important and precious to you and what might be at risk, make the potential loss explicit by claiming it. MBS proposes finishing these sentences:

I risk…
I perhaps would no longer…
I might lose…
I might be forced to give up…
I’d have to stop hanging on to…

Curiosity fuels courage and we should start with small steps. I’m thinking about that famous quote from philosopher Goethe as I write this…

‘Whatever you dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now’

MBS reminds us that with small steps, you’re doing two things. First, fuelled by curiosity, you’re collecting feedback. It’s the only way you can make your way forward in a complex situation: keep checking where you are, try some things out, collect feedback, and then decide what’s next.

Self-help book with solid messages around achieving your goals, delivered in a chatty style and sprinkled with useful personal anecdotes.

[Lizorice · Rating 1 out of 5]

The self-help equivalent of a buzzfeed video, the author seems more concerned with name dropping colleagues and making cultural reference than creating a book of substance. The majority of the pages felt like filler, stuffed with repetition and full-page quotes that made it feel as though the author had a page count to hit with little more than a blog post worth of content. At the very least, this meant the book was a rather short read, and was fairly easy to finish with the hope that there was a point coming.

While some of the exercises may certainly be helpful, it cheapens the message that the author does not complete them in earnest in the examples. Certainly, he seems to genuinely assess the transfer of power to a new CEO; but when it comes to the idea of a podcast, the third pillar of meaning falls flat. Any exercises designed to acknowledge this pillar are dismissively short and in combination with the author's persistant name dropping and touting of his other work it is apparent this is not the noble exercise he tries to present it as. Personally, I think this is fine. I think it is perfectly okay to have personal goals with the intention of serving no one but yourself, but that goes against the fundamental principle of the book and therefore leaves the message hallow.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It just wasn't for me.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful - gently forced me to give attention to things I’d be avoiding.
I feel much more ready to begin my “thing that matters” and I know that I’ve at least identified my worries, accepted that I may not get everything totally 100% right (such a nightmare for the inner perfectionist!) but that at least I will have begun & can then make it better through thoughtful iterations.
If there is something you want to do but are not sure about, work through this book & by the end you’ll either have seen where the real problems are or you’ll be ready to go!

[Marvia Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it for its brevity and solid personal examples the author walks you through. If you’ve considered a shift of any kind then a lot of the book and it’s ideas will resonate with you. Ultimately it’s fine to you and the action you will or won’t take. I recommend it for a gentle, teal talk push towards actionable progress.

[Taylor Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not original in its advice, it reiterates ideas that can be gathered from most self-help/productivity books worth their salt. However, it’s unique in that it serves as a template for you to brainstorm and consolidate your own goals, and the exercises stand alongside the author’s own examples.

[Mike Rucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-designed mini workshop in a binding. I recommend it to anyone feeling a little stuck or looking to explore making a change in their life. Quick read with a lot of exercises to move you just past the starting line of starting that BHAG you've thought about (and if you're like me, for far too long).

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a book on setting goals than how to get started on them. Also the audio book narrated by the author is hard to listen to in my honest opinion. If you need a self help book on setting goals may get 3 stars. Also if you’ve read any number of these types of books you’ve read this one. Spend your time on the dip, atomic habits and learn something more worthwhile.

[Steven Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Offers thoughtful questions to help clarify lofty, daunting goals specifically.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars; 2 for content, 3 for brevity

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good actionable exercises, simple and straightforward

[Spellbind Consensus]

**How to Begin: Start Doing Something That Matters** by Michael Bungay Stanier is a practical and inspiring guide designed to help people take meaningful action, pursue bold goals, and overcome the internal barriers that prevent them from starting what truly matters to them. The book focuses on the journey from intention to execution, offering a clear framework for moving from vague aspirations to concrete, impactful action.

Stanier begins by addressing the universal struggle of wanting to do something significant but feeling stuck or unsure where to start. He explores the psychological resistance people often encounter, such as fear of failure, perfectionism, self-doubt, and the overwhelming nature of big goals. Through relatable anecdotes and honest reflections, he reassures readers that these feelings are normal and surmountable.

The core of the book is a **step-by-step method** that Stanier calls “How to Begin,” which revolves around three main phases:

1. **Set a Worthy Goal:**
Stanier encourages readers to identify a goal that is both thrilling (personally exciting), important (has a positive impact on others), and daunting (pushes you to grow). He provides exercises for reflecting on your values, strengths, and the change you want to create, emphasizing that a truly worthy goal should stretch you beyond your comfort zone and align with your deeper purpose.

2. **Commit to Action:**
Once a worthy goal is chosen, Stanier shifts focus to commitment. He outlines how to break the goal into manageable steps, build accountability, and anticipate obstacles. He suggests strategies for building momentum, including forming habits, setting up structures of support, and tracking progress.

3. **Cross the Threshold:**
The most challenging part is often just starting. Stanier offers advice for overcoming inertia and taking the first step, no matter how small. He discusses ways to handle setbacks, reframe failure as learning, and stay motivated through inevitable ups and downs.

Throughout the book, Stanier’s tone is encouraging, conversational, and filled with humor. He provides practical tools—such as guided prompts, reflection exercises, and checklists—to help readers clarify their thinking and make tangible progress. The book also features stories from people who have used these methods to start initiatives, launch new projects, or make major life changes.

A recurring theme is the importance of **courage and self-compassion**. Stanier acknowledges that fear and vulnerability are part of doing meaningful work, but insists that starting anyway—imperfectly and incrementally—is the path to impact.

By the end, readers are equipped with a repeatable process for identifying, committing to, and making progress on what matters most to them. The message is clear and empowering: no matter your starting point, you can begin something that matters and create positive change in your life and the world around you.

[Chirag Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We unlock our greatness by working on hard things."

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

A lot of us are confused about our goals in life, some are lucky enough who have found their worthy goal and are pursuing it relentlessly. This book is for the majority of the people who are still in pursuit of their worthy goal. It’s for the people who feel both ambition and resistance.

🎯Do you know that your worthy goal should have three key elements in it? Even if one element is missing it will not be able to quench your thirst for a meaningful life.

1. Thrilling
2. Important
3. Daunting

It’s like a 3 legged stool where all three legs are necessary for a stool to remain standing.

✍️This book will provide you with the complete How to Begin process where you’ll test your worthy goal on various accounts, and specify it to a level that will make it crystal clear for you.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧:

📍A new and unique process of goal setting, where you’ll test your ambition with three types of tests

Spouse-ish test (to test the thrilling element)
The FOSO test (to test the important element)
The Goldilocks zone test (to test the daunting element)

📍Next up is to specify your goal by measuring your commitment, reach, time, scope, standard, and outcome.

📍Before you commit to the worthy goal you have to list your false starts of the past and understand the present to identify patterns where you’ve previously given up.

📍And this book will help to ask some difficult but important questions and help you recognize your core intentions behind the goal. And teach you to how to get started on this worthy goal.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:

A good, engaging & unique book on the process of goal setting, also recognizing your worthy goal and committing to it.

[Sourabh Goswami · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How to Begin" by Michael Bungay Stanier is an insightful and practical guide for anyone who wants to kickstart a new project, habit or goal. The book offers a step-by-step approach to help readers overcome the fear and hesitation that often comes with starting something new and daunting.

One of the strengths of the book is its clear and concise writing style, which makes the content accessible and easy to follow. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of beginning, such as overcoming resistance, identifying your why, and taking small actions. The author provides practical exercises and tools to help readers apply the concepts to their own situations, and the examples and case studies he uses are both relatable and inspiring.

One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of taking small, manageable steps towards your goal. Stanier emphasizes that beginning is not about making big, dramatic changes, but rather about building momentum through consistent and intentional action. He also stresses the importance of having a clear vision and purpose for what you want to achieve, and using that as motivation to keep moving forward.

Overall, "How to Begin" is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to start something new but feels stuck or overwhelmed. The book offers practical guidance, insightful advice, and inspiring stories to help readers take that first step towards creating the life they want. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to make a change in their life.