Why Courageous Beats Ready

I used to be a “wait for the right time” kind of person. A “one day” kind of person. While patience can be golden and some things take time, all it did was holding me back from progress. Sounds familiar? Read on!

Why do we so often wait for things to happen?

To be honest with you, most of the time it is disbelief. Disbelief in our own abilities, disbelief in trusting ourselves.

For a long time, I thought I wasn’t good enough to do what I really wanted to do. That only others could do what I wanted to do. Or that I needed to go through x career before I could get there. I thought I needed 100% clarity about what’s coming, or a watertight plan of action.

This could have not been further from the truth and only led to one thing: frustration. Can you relate?

Here are 5 examples of why we often wait:

1. Fear of failure: The question in my head, “But what if it doesn’t work?” literally stopped me from acting so many times. My fear of making mistakes easily prevented me from taking action because I believed that conditions must be perfect before I can act.
2. Perfectionism: I used to think I wasn’t ready because I didn’t have my dream resume, or I didn’t have the right skill set. My desire for perfection led me to believe that everything must be in place before I can begin anything new.
3. Self-Limiting Beliefs: A lack of self-confidence and the assumption that I didn’t deserve what I really wanted also kept me from acting. I always assumed that only others could achieve their dreams. So I waited to be more confident instead of thinking about what I could do right now to feel more confident, and deserving.
4. Lack of Motivation: I had a tendency to put off tasks for the “right time” that never came. Not only did I lack faith in myself, but I also lacked focus on the road ahead. This has demotivated me to move forward and has resulted in me not taking any action at all.
5. Goal Setting: My thinking used to be very reward-based: I can’t pursue x until I achieve y. The points I’m listing here are all interrelated — my lack of confidence and motivation made it difficult for me to set challenging goals and kept me stuck in the belief that I had to settle for less.

How To Move From Stagnation To Change

There’s nothing wrong with facing these obstacles, but if you want to grow personally and professionally, taking action even in the face of uncertainty is one of the most important things you can do.

So, what helped me move from stagnation to change?

At one point, my desire to change grew stronger, and stronger, until I needed to try. I eventually realized that courage was way more important than being ready.

To have the courage to step into the unknown, and to understand readiness as something that evolves in the process. So as you begin to take the first step, you begin to be ready, as you face certain things, you begin to understand how to face them.

Whether you know it or not, you are already brave. Believe in yourself! Maybe you just need a little help.

5 Tips to Help you Embrace Courage

1. Face One Fear Daily: is there something that makes you uncomfortable that you can face on a daily basis? For me, it’s handstand practice. I’m super scared of falling… so it’s a great way to face my fears. It’s also a great way to set daily mini goals that eventually evolve into larger long-term goals.
2. Nobody Cares (in the best way possible): post that post, write that message. Drop your perfectionism. You’ll improve as you go, I promise.
3. Build the Right Support System: community is key! Try to connect with people who are going through similar changes, or consider working with a coach. It is extremely important to surround yourself with people who can relate to what you are going through, and also for accountability. This will help you get through times when you feel low in motivation or confidence.
4. Follow Aspiration: if there is someone you admire… they probably had to work hard to get to where they are. What can you learn from them, and where can you start today (i.e. online course, change in training plan)? The more you adopt a growth mindset, the greater your chances of making anything possible.
5. Write It Down: focus on what you’ve accomplished already. You can write down a list with all the things that make you courageous. What are you afraid of, but you’re doing it anyway? For me, it’s flying. I’m sure there’s a lot you can add to that list already. This is a great way to address your fear of failure or your perfectionism.

And you know what I figured out with courage? You don’t have to choose it once — you have to choose it all over again. Change will always make you uncomfortable and try to keep you stuck in your own barriers. The same happens to me. Be gentle with yourself as you move forward. You can do this.

What helps you be courageous?