Be messy, imperfect and unsure and show-up anyway

Recently, one of my clients, let's call her Sarah, came to me with a familiar problem. She had a head full of brilliant ideas and exciting projects, but they were all stuck there "I just can't seem to get started," she sighed, looking defeated. Sound familiar? I bet it does!

Let's dive into Sarah's story and explore why so many of us struggle to take that first step. 

The 3 main Excuses holding you back are:

#1 "I Don't Have Time" (AKA The Time Trap)

Sarah swore up and down that her schedule was packed tighter than a sardine can. But when we dug deeper, we found pockets of time she was spending on Netflix and social media scrolling. Oops!

Reality Check: We all have the same 24 hours. It's not about finding time; it's about making time for what matters.

#2 - "I'm Scared to Fail" (AKA The Fear Factor)

Every time Sarah thought about starting her project, her mind filled with the worst-case scenarios "What if" that made her worries seem like a Hollywood disaster movie.

Reality Check : Failure isn't the opposite of success; it's part of success. Every flop is a step closer to your win!

#3 - "I'm Not Qualified" (AKA The Perfectionism Paralysis)

Sarah was convinced she needed three more degrees, five years of experience, and several approval from the universe before she could start.

Reality Check: If you wait until you're 100% ready, you'll never start. Done is better than Perfect. The best qualification? Your willingness to learn as you go!

Your Comfort Zone Exit Strategy:

Step 1: Start Small (Like, Really Small):

Take on a minor challenge that scares you a little.

Remember when Sarah decided to write a book? We didn't start with "write a bestseller." We started with "write for 10 minutes a day." Baby steps, people!

Step 2: Embrace the "Oops" Moments

Reframe failure by seeing it as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.

We celebrated Sarah's mistakes. Why? Because each "oops" meant she was trying something new. Plus, it gave us great stories for happy hour!

Step 3: Find Your Cheerleaders

Ask for constructive feedback to improve continuously.

Sarah joined a group of fellow dreamers and doers. Suddenly, she had a whole squad hyping her up when things got tough.

Step 4: Set Deadlines (And Stick to Them!)

Aim for objectives that push you beyond your current capabilities and set deadlines for each objective. 

We gave Sarah's ideas expiration dates. It's amazing how motivating a deadline can be – especially when there's a reward at the finish line!

Step 5: Reframe Your Self-Talk

Acknowledge your courage in trying, regardless of the outcome.

Instead of "I can't," Sarah started saying "How can I?" It's not just positive thinking; it's problem-solving mode activated!

The Grand Finale: Just Do It (Seriously, Just Do It)

Here's the secret sauce: action beats inaction every single time. Sarah's first attempt wasn't perfect, but guess what? It existed. And that's more than she could say before.

So, here's your challenge: pick one thing – just one small thing – that scares you a little. Now, go do it. Today. Not tomorrow, not when you feel ready, but right now.

Finally,  I would like you to reflect on Suneera Madhani, the founder of the billion-dollar company Stax, who beautifully encapsulates this idea (her quote inspired me to write this article :-) )

"Be scared and do it anyway. Be under-qualified, and get in the room anyway. Be messy, imperfect, and unsure and Show-up anyway. Comfort is the enemy of growth. Get uncomfortable." –  Suneera Madhani