There are many distractions that coax us into a false sense of action. When we spend too much time reading about technique, get inspiration from “great” talent in the field or indulge ourselves in navel-gazing status updates about wanting motivation we prevent ourselves from doing anything of real substance. You know it’s true. So stop it.

Last week I started running. I used to run a lot. With frequent work travel and a recent move I’d been fooling myself with excuses for over a year — looking for a close gym, looking for time, even inanely looking for a plan for how to run. After all my well-intentioned planning when I finally got to it my “how to run” plan was surprisingly simple:

1. Wake up early so I don’t get distracted.
2. Put on my running shoes.
3. Keep putting one foot in front of the other until I almost pass out.
4. Slow down until no longer light-headed. Repeat Step 3.

I put out my shoes and I went out the door. It doesn’t matter how far or fast I got or that my girlfriend left me in the dust soon after the warm up. The important thing is that I did it and I stopped making excuses or grandiose plans (I can do that later after I’m already taking action) and for the first time in a while I feel accomplished.

Through Authentica I’ll be giving you opinions, examples and techniques on how to become better at your work — but I don’t want you to stop there. People who become great can balance learning and planning with doing. Never forget that every rock star designer or developer you admire decided one morning that it was their moment to start running.

Now it’s your turn. Go do something you’ve been putting off. Sit or stand at whatever desk, bench, table, track or podium you need to and begin. It won’t be perfect. You might not get it right the first time (or the tenth) but the important thing is to start. If you manage this you’re on the way to something great.