Лиха беда начало

The most difficult part of doing something is getting started, it will be easier to go on. See Всякое начало трудно (B), Труден только первый шаг (T)

Var.: Лиха беда начать

Cf: All things are difficult before they are easy (Am., Br.). The beginning is the hardest (Am.). Beware beginnings (Br.). Every beginning is hard (Br.). The first step is always the hardest (Am.). The first step is the hardest (Br.). The first step is the only difficulty (Br.). The hardest step is over the threshold (Am.). The hardest step is that over the threshold (Br.). It is the first step which is troublesome (Br.). It's the first step that costs (Am., Br.)