Getting Started Is the Only Way This Year’s Goals Will Become a Reality

”The only way to learn how to climb mountains is by climbing mountains.” – Dr. Jon Kedrowski

DR. JON KEDROWSKI HAS a PhD in environmental geography, weather, and climate. He has climbed six continental summits, including seven expeditions to Mt. Everest in 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024. Suffice it to say, Dr. Jon knows something about climbing mountains. I was privileged to meet Dr. Jon at a conference a few years ago.

His statement above is not just about climbing mountains. The truth is that the only way to get good at doing anything is by doing it.

As we start a new year, it’s only natural to want to set new goals and make new commitments, but getting started is the only way this year’s goals will become a reality.

There is actual power in getting started. It forces you to overcome the fear of perfection. One of the biggest barriers to starting is the fear of not being good enough. People often hesitate because they worry about making mistakes or failing outright. You give yourself permission to learn, adapt, and grow by starting. Mistakes are not roadblocks; they are steppingstones to mastery.

I see this in doctors who want to build a myopia management practice but are frozen by their fear of explaining the therapy and pricing to parents. So, they want to attend one more CE course or myopia management conference before starting. However, they never do.
It is only by starting that you can gather real world feedback so you can adjust your approach and get more effective explaining the therapy’s benefits and value. The process reveals the path, and clarity sharpens with each step forward.

Getting started forces a new mindset. Getting started is critical, but sustaining the journey requires a specific mindset. Expertise is not achieved overnight; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. This mindset is called a “growth mindset.” Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, this is the belief that you can develop abilities through dedication and hard work.

This mindset transforms challenges into opportunities. Instead of saying, “I’m not good at this,” reframe it as “I’m not good at this yet.” The word “yet” opens the door to possibilities and reinforces the idea that improvement is always possible. Developing a growth mindset will change the way you approach all areas of your life. Your life will no longer be limited but full of new potential.

Getting started requires focusing on the process, not just the outcome. While having a clear goal is important, fixating solely on the outcome leads to frustration. Instead, focus on the process — the daily habits, practices, and actions that lead to improvement. Fall in love with the journey and results will follow.

Successful optometrists are curious and open to new ideas, techniques, and feedback. Success in any aspect of your practice requires adopting a lifelong learner mindset and viewing every experience — even failures — as opportunities for growth.

The desire to learn will lead you to people who will teach you and offer advice and support. No one achieves success in isolation. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and supporters who challenge and inspire you. A strong network provides guidance and accountability, keeping you on track when motivation wanes. Jim Rohn, the famous philosopher and one of my mentors, suggests we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. It is important to pick these people for a fulfilling practice and life.

Where you and your practice are at the end of 2025 will depend on what you are willing to start today. It’s really that simple. You can climb any mountain you want, but you must begin to climb.