“I’m not ready to move”

“I’m not ready to start my detox”

“I’m not ready to take the leap of faith”

“I’m not ready to end my relationship”

“I’m not ready to start my own business”

If you really stop to think about it, all of these statements are excuses for inaction. 

So many of these situations have come up in my life recently, and I have established the theory that “readiness” isn’t real. Not even a little bit. It’s a word we humans created for ourselves to express that we are in our comfort zone and resistant to change. 

Here’s the kicker – you’ll NEVER be 100% ready to do anything in your life worth doing. Ask any parent if they felt 100% ready to have a child – absolutely not. But I bet they’ll tell you it’s the best decision they ever made. Ask any successful entrepreneur if they felt totally “ready” to start their business – probably not. But they’re so glad that they did!

The thing is, we will never feel completely prepared to take a step in our life worth taking. The times we face challenges and push ourselves to do things we don’t feel ready for – that’s courage, embodied. Change is a decision, and it happens in an instant. Contrary to what most people believe, change is NOT a process. It is merely a point in time, in which you decide that things will be different from now on. You make a commitment.

So, do you want to feel 100% ready, or do you want to feel courageous? For me, courageous wins every time, especially when the result is pure growth. Things may not always turn out exactly the way you envisioned them being (i.e. your mental schema of “being ready”) – but in these moments where we push the limit just a bit, we allow ourselves to experience challenge and growth, which only lead to an increase of knowledge, direction, and insight… and more growth!

The next time you catch yourself thinking or saying “I’m not ready to _____,” tell yourself that you should ALWAYS start before you’re ready. You only waste a limited resource, time, in waiting to make a decision. In making the decision, you take a step toward discovering what it is you truly want. This is a part of your path to discovering your ultimate bliss, and if you don’t take a step on the path, you’re at a standstill.

Envision the yellow brick road with a gleaming and magical Emerald City at the opposite end – would you hesitate in taking the first step? I sure hope not! Now, close your eyes and envision your construct of whatever your ultimate bliss is to you – perhaps it is a life where you have complete freedom, own your own lucrative business, and feel abundant love in your life – as a lighthouse. Next, envision that there is a path from where you currently are in your life journey leading you from where you stand to that ultimate beacon of bliss. What does the first step in getting to that beacon of light look like for you?

Whatever it is, do it NOW! Don’t wait another minute. You deserve to get to that place. You deserve a life that you love that excites you every single day.

Now be on your way home, to your beacon of light and bliss… 

because there’s no place like home 😉