April 6

Start Before You’re Ready

3  comments

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did” ~ Mark Twain.

What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting for all the stars to align? Are you waiting till you have more money in the bank? Are you waiting for all the facts?

Well, I don’t know how to say this, but I have some bad news for you.

It ain’t gonna happen.

That’s right.

All the stars will never be aligned. You may have some money in the bank but it won’t help. And you’ll surely never have all the facts.

Because here’s the truth:

You’ll never be ready to start.

You’ll never be ready to get married, raise a family, go back to school, change careers, speak in front of a packed room, or become a leader.

You’ll never feel ready. You’ll never be ready.

And if you continue to wait till you are, you’ll never start and all you’ll have is a life filled with regret.

That’s why you must start before you’re ready.

Some other “reasons” why we never start

I’m too old. I’m too young. I’m not smart enough.

To be clear, none of these are reasons for not starting. They are all just excuses. See them for what they are and you’ll be well on your way to starting.

How to start before you’re ready

1. Learn to say no.

Saying yes to everything except the thing we really want is one of the most effective ways to never start. This habit creates the illusion that we’re at least doing something, even it’s not the thing we really want to be doing.

If you struggle to say no, you may want to check out The Life-Changing Power of No! by Laura Tong.

2. Get uncomfortable

Start doing things that make you uncomfortable. Why? Because starting before you’re ready is uncomfortable. Get used to it. Put yourself in situations where you’re forced to be uncomfortable, even a little embarrassed from time to time.

Try small things like speaking up in group conversation even when you feel like you know nothing about the subject being discussed.

3. Bring out your inner actor

Ever hear the expression “fake it till you make it”?

Well, that phrase applies here. If you’re not ready to start, pretend to be ready. Act like you’re ready even when you (and everybody else) know you’re not.

Are you ready to start?

No, but it doesn’t matter.

You don’t have to be ready. All you need is a willingness to take the first step.

If you’ve already decided what you desire is right for you, it’s time to step out in faith.

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  • Ever hearD the expression “fake it till you make it”?
    even IF it’s not the thing we really want to be doing.
    Typos in CAPS. You’re welcome.

  • Thanks for this Cylon,
    I am not saying too much in case Siddharth begins to correct me – we could be here for a very long time.
    I’m never ready. When I do start I also tend to fizzle out. I think I have much work to do i.e. not think about but actually do. After that, (or even before!) I think I should seek some expert advice.
    In the meantime, thank you very much.

  • Your email “teaser” about your post… well, I have to comment on it… You started with, “I’m not ready yet.” Seems someone, over 2,000 years ago said this very thing at a wedding, when his mother wanted him to take action… hmmm. That says it all! He knows what we feel and how we feel. He understands, and he showed us the way… Just do it!! Ready or not, just do it! Just in case there are some who don’t know about whom I’m speaking, it’s Jesus. All I have to do is look at his life, and I gain the courage to Just Do It! I do admit that I often feel paralyzed to follow the Leader, but when I stop resisting, I find that I can do anything – unprepared, unready, and uncomfortable. Regarding doing “it” uncomfortable… That’s when major changes, and changes that improve my life, happen… when I’m uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable forces me to take action to improve situations. Regarding, “fake it till you make it,” it works!! As for the “correction” to your choice of wording by Siddharth, your wording is fine. It’s all a matter of tense. “Ever hear the expression, ‘fake it till you make it?” If the reader infers a past tense, it could be read, “have you ever heard the expression…,” then “hear” would be “heard.” BUT, if the reader infers a present tense, then the full phrase could easily be, “do you ever hear (people use) the expression…” then, hear is appropriate. Your good!

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