Start Where You Are

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of change, planning for something big — and then the moment of truth arrives. You’re standing at the edge of the cliff, toes peeking over the abyss, about to take a giant leap forward when that nagging voice in your head says, “Are you sure about this?” All the positivity and enthusiasm you had while planning your leap evaporates in a flash. You freeze up, pull back, and begin to question your sanity.

Sound familiar? Yeah. I’ve been there too.

I can’t count how many times I enthusiastically started down a path to something new only to slam on the brakes and wonder “What the *bleep* was I thinking!?” In the space of a nanosecond doubt creeps in. It’s amazing how you can talk yourself out of just about anything when you start overthinking. It’s easy to fall into the trap of “Do I… know enough… have enough experience… have the right credentials… to do this thing?”

Let’s face it: Change is about meeting the unknown. It’s normal — human survival instinct being what it is — to hesitate when facing something new. Some folks even go into full-on panic mode when dealing with change.

It’s not unusual to feel the fear of uncertainty and to question whether we’re ready to take the leap. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’ve got to have more education, experience or better credentials (or the right clothes, better hair, a nicer lifestyle) before you can start.

You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference, but there’s something almost comforting about buying time and pushing out your start date by taking classes, enrolling in certification programs, or participating in workshops. It feels deceptively productive. But once you have that shiny new credential, chances are you’ll find yourself right back in the same loop; once again staring down the fear of not being ready and wondering if you really know enough to get started.

Here’s the truth my friend: You don’t have a credential problem, you have a confidence problem and the best way to build confidence is through doing, learning, getting better, and doing some more. Sure, you’ll make some mistakes along the way, and that’s okay. You’ll never master something new if you don’t start.

One of my professors who has a thriving consulting practice shared that you can’t stress and obsess about what you don’t know. “No one knows everything,” she shared. “The most important thing you can do is start — start where you are.” The truth is you’ve got more knowledge and experience than a lot of people out there. You know enough — so take the new job, start your business, do that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Put yourself out into the world and be open to learning along the way. If you’re acting and moving forward, you’re growing.

You don’t have to know everything, and while you may be stressing it, no one else knows what you don’t know. You don’t need degrees, certificates, or anyone else’s blessing to begin. Start with what you know. You’ve lived life. You’ve had some experiences. Begin there. What you already know is plenty to start you on your way. And it’s always okay to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”

Here’s the thing: Start. Where. You. Are.

Where you are — right here, right now — you’re good enough.

You just need to start.