Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Be Ready

Nobody feels ready.

Not the person giving the speech. Not the one launching a business. Not the student applying to the program they think is out of their league.

We all tell ourselves the same thing.

“I’ll try when I’m ready.”

“I’ll start when I feel more confident.”

“I’ll go for it once I know what I’m doing.”

But here’s the truth. That moment doesn’t come. Or if it does, it’s already too late. Someone less ready already raised their hand.

I’ve learned that most of the things that change your life won’t wait for you to feel qualified. They just show up. And either you step in or you don’t.

The first time I taught a class, I didn’t feel like a teacher.

The first time I sat in a meeting about legislation, I didn’t feel like an expert.

The first time I wrote something public, I didn’t think anyone would care.

But I did it anyway. And that’s the trick.

You don’t build confidence and then act.

You act, and confidence shows up after.

Readiness isn’t a feeling. It’s a decision. It’s saying “I’ll figure it out” instead of “I need to know everything first.” It’s choosing motion over perfection. It’s realizing that you are your qualifications, if you’re willing to learn out loud.

This doesn’t mean you fake it. It means you bet on yourself early. You step into the thing before you’re fully formed. You learn in real time. You grow into the role by showing up like you’re already in it.

So if you’re waiting to feel ready—stop.

Raise your hand now. Submit the application now. Say yes now.

The people who do the most usually weren’t the most prepared. They were just the first ones willing to go.