Amale Bouzlafa

Every project you’re going to try to start, every endeavor, begins with apprehension, doubts, and fear. In my experience, this is true no matter the size of the project… 😅 Whether it’s launching a small personal project or embarking on a significant career change, those first steps are very often accompanied by uncertainty and hesitation. Laozi beautifully expressed this in the Tao Te Ching: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

One thing that has really helped me is the realization that you just need to start. Just do it, and you’ll figure it out along the way. Taking that first step is the hardest part, but it’s also the most crucial. Once you start, the next steps begin to reveal themselves, one by one. It’s like walking in the fog… you might not see the entire path, but with each step, a bit more of the way forward becomes clear. When I first began my coaching journey ( just a few months ago, believe it or not), I had countless doubts. I questioned whether I was qualified enough, whether people would listen to me, and whether I could genuinely make a difference. But I took that first step, and with each subsequent step, my confidence grew. I learned to trust myself and my abilities.

Listening to yourself is an essential part of this process. It means tuning into your inner voice and trusting your instincts. Often, we look to external sources for validation and direction, but true guidance comes from within. When you learn to listen to yourself, you align your choices with what truly resonates with you, rather than making decisions based on ego or external pressures. I’ve had moments where external opinions were so strong that they would influence my thinking, leading to choices and that decisions that didn’t sit well with my inner self. I had to learn that the most fulfilling and successful outcomes arise when I rely on my intuition… It is a practice of self-trust and self-resonance, and a journey of alignment with your true self.

Beginning something is also about embracing the journey, not just focusing on the destination. Each step you take, each decision you make, contributes to your growth and learning. Sometimes the path will be smooth, and other times it will be filled with challenges. Either way it’s important to remember that both are equally valuable. The challenges teach resilience and adaptability, and the smooth parts clears your direction and reinforce your confidence. I’ve faced many obstacles in my projects and aspirations. There were times when things didn’t go as planned, and I felt like giving up. However, those moments of struggle taught me more than any success ever could. They pushed me to innovate, to find new solutions, and to grow beyond my perceived limits. It is also about redefining what success means to you and to create a vision that is more aligned with this definition.

Trusting yourself is about believing in your ability to handle whatever comes your way. It’s about knowing that even if you don’t have all the answers right now, you can still find them. Trusting yourself is not about being “arrogant” or “too confident”, it’s about believing in yourself and your abilities. When you trust yourself, you make decisions that are true to who you are. You move forward with a sense of authenticity and purpose. This alignment brings a sense of peace and fulfillment, as you are no longer driven by fear or external validation but by your own inner guidance.

So, I’m telling you now: just start! Whatever project or endeavor you’re thinking about, take that first step. Don’t let doubts and fears hold you back. The first step might be small, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. Trust that you will figure it out along the way… Each step will lead to the next, and before you know it, you’ll be further along your journey than you ever imagined.

Remember, every journey, no matter how long, begins with a single step. Take that step today. Embrace the uncertainties, trust yourself, and watch how the path unfolds before you…

Trusting it will bring some light to someone’s shadow,

Amale 💫💙