Happy to be told not to start (6)
I believe the answer is:
elated
'happy' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)
'be told not to start' is the wordplay.
'be told' becomes 'related' (as in relating a story).
'not to start' means to remove the first letter.
'related' with its first letter removed is 'ELATED'.
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for elated that I've seen before include "Joyful, uplifted" , "In very high spirits, really chuffed" , "Jubilant, very pleased" , "Intensely delighted and proud" , "Cock-a-hoop" .)