Monument Valley, Utah.
The First Step
Building this van has been intense. I’m having fun, but on pretty much a daily basis I experience varying degrees of overwhelm, anxiety and a sense of inadequacy. I’m terrified I’ll make a costly mistake that will cause even larger problems down the road (no pun intended).
The particularly challenging part about a project like this is that, because so much of this process is new to me, even if I manage to overcome one big challenge, there’s ten more waiting.
It’s relentless.
But I’ve noticed something useful: often, I’ll feel overwhelmed because I don’t know every step needed to complete the next project on my list. And because I can’t imagine how to complete it, the thought of starting can be daunting. What I’ve realized, however, is that if I can simply identify the first step in the process, all of the other steps tend to fall into place. That first step almost always leads me directly to the next step. And before I know it, the entire project is complete—often in far less time than expected.
This concept of “first step” reminds me of a chapter in one of my favorite books, The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, in which the author describes a fundamental process in tracking an animal through difficult terrain—finding the first track. The first track gives you something to work with and provides clues as to where the next track might be. And if the trail ever goes cold, all you have to do is find the next first track. And then the next after that. All of those "first tracks" will eventually lead to your animal.
I believe this framework can help us with so many modern life complications—relationships, parenting, finances, career and yes, van builds—you don’t need to know how to do the entire thing perfectly, you just need to know where to begin.
And then find the next first track.
Then do it again.
“I don’t know where I’m going, but I know exactly how to get there. First track. Then another first track. Always be searching for the next first track. Over time, even though you don’t know where at the beginning, all of these first tracks will lead you to your destination.” -Boyd Varty
BONUS: Perhaps I’m over-romanticizing this a bit, but I kind of love the thought that me randomly recommending this book could be the next “first track” in your life. If you’re intrigued at all and would like to check out The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, I’ve provided a link below that’ll take you to it. The book is short and sweet and every time I read it I discover a new nugget of wisdom. Whether you read the book or not, I wish you the best of luck finding your next first track. Cheers!
