Ready or Not, Life moves on. Are you in or out?
Ever notice that you get stuck at Ready?
When I think of the word Ready, I always land on Ready. Set. Go. My brain floods with images of middle school track day: Adrenalin pumping, praying I won’t be last, and the smell of sweaty sixth graders lined up to get their ribbons.
Why does Ready come before Go? And can you explain to me what Set means? It’s as if this sequence is a metaphor for life. And if you’re like me, I tend to stay in place, waiting to be Ready.
Truth? Ready never arrives.
Ready is a utopian place that doesn’t exist. Ready, for me means that all the stars have aligned, my hair’s perfect, my but looks great in my jeans, and everything’s crossed off on my list. There’s nothing standing in my way, all’s perfect, I can take the leap from Ready into action.
You’ve heard yourself say it many times. When I’m ready, I’ll…look for a new job, start dating again, try snowboarding, go back to school for being a holistic healer, start my own yoga business. As you wait to be ready, life is whipping by and you’re stuck in the same, unfulfilled place.
Ready can be an excuse.
If you’re getting ready for the big leap, you can stay safe. It’s impossible to fail, if you don’t take any action. You’re comfortable where you’re at and you can tell yourself, I’m getting ready to make my dream come true, first I have to…paint the house, sort all my pictures from the last 26 years, lose 8 pounds….
I’ve heard it many times and it makes me a bit queasy- “Start before you’re ready.” Seriously? I’m supposed to ignore my discomfort, that sinking feeling in my stomach, that nagging voice in my head that says, “the time isn’t right, just wait a little bit longer” Yes. All the chatter in your head and the itchiness in your skin, is simply your ego trying to keep you safe, but your just stuck. Change is unknown, but it’s also where the possibilities lie.
Waiting till you’re ready steals opportunities from you.
Just think of what’s waiting for you when you choose to move forward:
Greater happiness
Improved health
A fulfilling career
A loving relationship
Learning a new skill
Taking an adventure
Momentum for miracles
Getting past being ready and taking action can be scary.
In your mind whatever you’re about to start looks gigantic, like a hairy troll with warts all over his hideous body- ugh! The secret isn’t to look at the whole BIG overwhelming thing.
I’ve a straight talking, no-nonsense, in your face friend, who shared with me this sound piece of advice. I was drowning in the stress of my divorce. I felt helpless, terrified, and alone when I really wanted to feel powerful, secure, and know exactly what was going to happen next. As I sniveled into the phone, tears streaming, making the receiver wet, I listened to her say, “Quit looking at the effing mountain (she’s a boss and used the real word). Just look at what you have to do today.” I was shocked, not by her language, but by her advice. Magic! So simple and doable. I felt like a tremendous, heavy with had been lifted.
The next time you’re stuck in the ready position, give yourself permission to begin.
Write down what you want to accomplish and identify one action you can do today that moves you towards your goal and dream. Keep your attention focused on the here and now, and you’ll gain momentum.
You don’t know what you don’t know. But you do owe it to yourself to discover how capable, confident, and fabulous you are. Starting before you’re ready leads to a life of exploration and adventures. Give yourself permission to jump in, no wussy dipping a toe in, to see if the waters warm. Skip the Ready, mow down the Set, and just GO.
P.S. Have a friend who is stuck at ready? Perhaps she wants to get healthy by working out, but first needs to lose a few pounds so her Lululemon's don't cut off her circulation? Help her get momentum- share this blog today!