I'm Not Ready

If Not Now, When?

“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives” - Lemony Snicket

Maybe you’ve been meaning to get serious about your health and fitness.

Maybe your significant other wants to start a family and so do you, but not just yet.

Maybe it’s quitting your job to pursue your passion, but you can’t pull the trigger.

You don’t feel ready and need more time.

I previously documented that I’m not ready to go live with this blog because I haven’t developed systems - like how you get ready for work or get into and drive your car. You do things in the same logical order and don’t think about it.

Recently, other issues arose, and I found myself self-sabotaging - picking up old bad habits resulting in a lack of productivity.

My deep-seated issue?

Fear.

Through this blog, I’ll be reaching outside my network (and comfort zone) of friends, colleagues and acquaintances. I’m opening myself up to the world and whilst it’s ultimately what I want, doing so is a big deal.

So, what will it take to take that leap?

Minimise Faff

Have you ever had a time where a parent, teacher or instructor told you you’re ready for something and your response was, “Really?”

You followed their judgement, went solo, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment afterwards.

Then once out on your own, you tried new things, learnt what works and doesn’t work for you, improving each time to the point where it becomes second nature to you.

There will be times you don’t feel ready and won’t have someone to push you to take action. This is where it must come from within, and to ensure you don’t waste too much time deliberating and procrastinating, reflect and consider:

1. What is holding you back? Get clear and list all the reasons why you think you’re not ready.

• I don’t have enough money

• I’m not sure the right way to proceed

• I need to learn more/upskill

• What will people think of me?

• What happens if I fail?

  How many of your reasons are limiting beliefs?

2. A plan on how to proceed.

   If you’re on your path, you should have already thought about this. If you’re yet to act, do your due diligence and research what you’re looking to undertake.

   Even if it’s something no one has done before, there are resources you can draw upon which follow a similar path.

   Nothing is certain and there are things that will be uncertain - you don’t know what you don’t know.

   Some ventures have a definite outcome, others don’t.

   I’ve started this blog with no certainty where it could lead. Maybe it’s publishing a book or something I haven’t considered, or maybe something happens along the way, and it all ends suddenly.

   Life is unpredictable. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing your dreams, because you don’t want to look back with regret wishing you’d started sooner, if at all.

   You’ve only got one life.

   Do it now.

3. A list of the minimum things you must achieve or accomplish in order to be ready.

   I’ll emphasise it again - minimum! You can always do and learn more on the fly. Have as little resistance as possible to move forward and ask yourself, “What can I do today to move me closer to my goal?”

   One of my good friends told me she wants to write more (poetry/creative writing). What’s stopping you?

   I had the inspiration to start this blog one morning, bought a “business” laptop, created email accounts, social media profiles and posted my first blog post (via email) within a couple of days.

   A few hours went into researching how to, as well as topics to blog about before literally putting my thoughts into words and typing out something. More learning, the creation of this website, and everything else followed.

Take Action

Commit and do something immediately to move forward. There’s power in momentum and progress.

Heard about the productivity hack of doing something for thirteen minutes (or similar) and before you know it, you’re engrossed in what you’re doing?

Apply it to what needs to be done and make them physical tasks - not sitting around doing more research.

You might think reading or watching videos to learn more is being productive, but that’s not what you should be doing. You need to be working, making phone calls, or getting out of the house and taking action.

The more you achieve, the more you’ll be motivated to continue.

And guess what?

There are times it’ll be scary. You’re going to make mistakes along the way. Everyone does. Is that going to stop the sun from rising tomorrow? So why should it stop you from pursuing no matter what?

Stop Comparison

Everyone is different. Our abilities, circumstances, and motivations.

If someone has achieved what you want, it doesn’t mean their process will work for you. Conversely, if someone has failed at what you’re wanting to achieve, why should that stop you from trying?

We’re all on different paths in life and what one person finds easy may be difficult for another.

Use your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Learn from those who have done it before you, but ultimately, do it your way.

Even if it takes you longer or costs you more, you’ve learnt from the experience which will help you make better future decisions.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Conclusion

You’ll never feel 100% ready.

Time waits for no one and by delaying, you may be robbing yourself of opportunities down the track.

Trust your preparation, intelligence, and abilities and go for it.

Growth occurs in you doing, not waiting for the right time, so my question to you is, when are you going to take that leap?