What do you do when you are not ready? There are way too many things that get in the way of doing what we want to do, and doing what we feel like we are meant to do in this life.
These things have us dragging our feet, making excuses, waiting for the perfect time, and letting opportunities pass us by.
We are always getting ready to live and never living.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Not ready?
I’m not talking about procrastinating chores that you don’t want to do. I’m talking about doing things that you WANT to do. Your dream. Your life mission. Relationships. Your purpose.
Why does this happen? What is the big obstacle behind all obstacles?
Usually it is fear.
Tell me what anxieties you have about getting started.
Maybe…
It might not work out.
I may not be able to do it.
It might be a mistake.
What if I mess up.
I don’t trust anyone.
It may be too hard.
It will take too much time.
Or, it may take me away from people that I love.
If I succeed, will it change me?
It’s great to be very clear on what this fear is, because when it is evasive, it has more power. Say it out loud. Equally, you can write it down. Know it well. That’s how you begin to get the power back.
If you are “not ready” but want to go, here’s how:
How to Overcome Doubt
Why you are not ready and how to be readyClick To TweetStart. Start before you are ready. Of course you can just start with something tiny.
Just take one step.
This step will also, give you encouragement, energy, and perhaps confidence for the next step.
Remember: that step doesn’t have to be perfect. It is better that it happens, than if it is perfect.
Perfect doesn’t exist. You can kill yourself trying to achieve it. It will always come in between you and happiness. Striving for perfection will erode your soul and zap you of your power.
Let it go and take that step!
Little steps aren’t insignificant. They are incredible! It is when you add them up and magic can happen!
Have compassion for yourself through the process. Give yourself loads of kudos. Kudos give you energy! Celebrate small successes. You deserve it!
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
~Dalai Lama
Tell me: What step are you going to take and how?
Hi Jodi,
Yes indeed, it’s the fears of the unknown that hinders us in many things we want to do and they stop us from achieving our purpose. Lovely video indeed – and I think most of it takes root in our subconscious mind that we need to work on.
Taking small baby steps and proceeding forward is the only way it all works – one at a time as you mentioned.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend, and Happy Easter 🙂
I am a firm advocate of the one step at a time. My Ted often wonders why I do these little things before I am going somewhere. It is because when I get back and have to start the job, it is already started! I love it!
Fear has stopped me from many things, too. I am trying to be more conscious of it. I like your reassurance that we don’t have to know how everything will work out before we start. That’s the adventure!
I waited a long time to start an editing business. Now I’m ready to start the “second wave” of getting the word out and really being more committed to it.
Tina Fariss Barbour recently posted..The Light
Oh ya, fear is a big one. Great subject to cover, Jodi. Fear being the opposite of love…has held me back and sucked my confidence. I love your advice about one step toward your goal is very significant. No step is too small. I try to write a little bit everyday as that puts me toward my goal of my novel completion and my short story collection. Both those goals seem overwhelming but when I write a little it takes me a little closer. I will share your video Jodi as you’re always so inspiring and I’m sure my followers will love this!
lisa thomson-The Great Escape… recently posted..My Message to Smug Married People
I was just looking at something on YouTube about this very thing this morning on the Les Brown channel. You’re reiterating that very same message. Just taking those little steps everyday moves one out of fear. Nice post.
totsymae1011 recently posted..Striking A Pose: Trailer 2.0
The thing that used to keep me from starting is I always wanted t make sure I knew everything about ‘it’ before I started ‘it’. Know, I learn what I feel I need to know and continue learning along the way.
“One Step” is so much easier & less exhausting than the WHOLE thing.
Love your videos, Jodi. I also love your blue picture in the background, your pillows on your couch. Warm. Cozy. Makes we want to be there.
—One thing I’ve been putting off is editing my book. I don’t know why. It’s as if I’m waiting for something to happen first. Or perhaps, I’m afraid to fail.
Xxxx LUV U.
My Inner Chick recently posted..22 Things I Totally Believe
Seriously, time is what keeps me from doing anything. Lack of it or not enough of it. I need 48 hours in a day, not 24. Working full time doesn’t help. It’s hard finding time. It’s what keeps me from being able to sit down with a good book. I wish I could retire, but that’s a ways off as I can’t afford to. Sigh.
monicastangledweb recently posted..Adele’s Two Cents: Bringing Down the Curve
Hi Jodi,
Well written by Ralph Waldo!!!
It’s like someone who keeps on getting dressed to go out for so long, that she never has time to leave the house.
If we are so busy readying ourselves for living in the future, we miss out on life in the present.
Indeed a Nice video.
Hi Jodi! Thank you for this great reminder of other ways that we hold ourselves back and delay our good. I’ve been thinking and writing about this subject a lot lately because I’ve noticed that I do this and similar things to “excuse” myself for not doing things that I think I should And as you say, just taking those small baby steps toward our dreams are all that is necessary. Thanks again! ~Kathy
I’ve been thinking about it all week, trying to decide what the little steps might be. I have a very long list of little steps I want to do and know I can do. I have some fears too that I know about, but I think my biggest issue is to set a goal I want to reach. I don’t know where I want to go, what I want to do or what I want to be. I want to change. I’m ready
Hi Jodi,
Thanks for being so prompt despite my absence! Love you for the care you show!
I am very familiar with the delays and the hold ups of dreams and plans that we nurture for a long time before they take wings…some never do! I have always been able to deal with the fears that lurk within and around but some of them we keep denying and they are the most deep rooted ones, they are the ones, which pull us backwards, the ones that never let us take that first step.
I have written on both… ‘vanquishing fears’ and ‘the magic of first step’…hope you’ll check it out. Thanks for the lovely video too.
Balroop Singh recently posted..How Books Touch our Emotions!
I find so often my fear does not stem from my own actual concerns, but others’. I don’t want to let others down, or others tell me I can’t do something and I don’t want to prove them right. I’m often focusing on other peoples’ values as if they were my own, and using those as excuses not to do something.
Since you asked us to leave one thing in the comments that we really want to do, mine is to start a nonprofit to benefit youth with mental health conditions. I’ve completed a couple of small initial steps but the next step tiny step I need is to sit down with the partners I’m working on this with and start building a workable plan.
Maya recently posted..The Confidence Blog
Send an email to your partners and set a coffee date. One little email takes 5 mins! This will be such a great project, thank you for doing it!
Fears, so many fears Jodi. The fear of failing might be the one that stops me to do things. The fear of disapointing others, of not being good at what I like.
But I agree with you, everything comes step by step. We should always start with one step. And celebrate our progress as such.
The first step for me should be to get at writing a story from start to end and send it to an agent. I will go for it. You are giving me the push I need to go for it.
I love your videos, your wise words, your kindness. Keep it up Jodi!
Marie recently posted..Life, joy and good food…
Thanks, Marie, your writing is beautiful so it is a worthy task to uptake! Writing a whole story is a BIG task. Just one page at a time. Or even 100 words a day. Break it up to make it easier and celebrate each accomplishment!