Have you ever wanted to do something, but not felt like doing it? Have you wanted to take a step forward, but thought that you just weren’t quite ready to begin? If so, then today’s quote from Amy Poehler is for you. She said, “Great people do things before they’re ready.”
There is a lot of power in these words. Typically, when we look at what someone else has achieved, we assume that they felt prepared, equipped, and confident the whole time they were doing it. Social media encourages this impression, as everyone posts photos of themselves looking happy, self-assured, and in control.
The truth is, anyone who has stepped into a new role, pattern, or challenge has probably felt – in at least some way – ill-prepared. By definition, new things are full of unknowns, and it is completely normal for us to be hesitant and a little anxious.
Nevertheless, people who get things done (whether large or small) are willing to dive in, even when they are not feeling ready.
So today the challenge is to answer the following question:
What is one thing I really want to do, but have been putting off because I haven’t felt ready?
If you can think of something, take it one step further to identify one step you can take to push yourself out of your comfort zone and get the ball rolling?
What comes to mind when you read this quote?
GREAT question Seana. I have been struggling with age. I am going on 64 this year, it sounds like I should retire, somedays I want to retire but I struggle with wanting to keep a foot in the door in some way to help others with organizing. I think this quote is helping me move forward with things I know I can do.
Looking forward to your ongoing quotes, this may just be the thing I need to push myself forward and move out of my comfort zone!!
I need that push out of my comfort zone all the time! It’s hard to know what the “right” thing to do is, but I know I often ned to act before I feel ready to do so.
I relate to this one so much. Readiness is an interesting phenomenon. It’s impossible to have mastery over things in advance of learning them. So we almost always step into new situations with some level of angst and discomfort. The key is how we talk to ourselves. Are we berating and being negative? Or, are we encouraging like how we’d talk to a friend? Mastery is great. But it’s in the learning phase that real growth happens. I opt for discomfort on the way to learning something new.
Love that phrase, Linda. “It’s in the learning phase that real growth happens.” It isn’t always comfortable, but it can be exciting. We can remind ourselves, even in the tension, that good things are happening. That we are stretching and will know more in a short period of time if we carry on!
This quote resonates with me! Taking risks is tough for me, especially when I am not 100% knowledgeable about the topic or situation. My goal this year is to follow my heart and not allow my fear to stop me from taking risks. I find that passion for change will help move me through the “I’m not ready” thoughts.
Sabrina Quairoli recently posted…15 Time Management Quotes to Live By
I love this phrase, “passion for change.” I think we are lucky to have those passions and desires, and it is crucial to get past that fear if we want to explore them. I am definitely risk averse, but trying to listen to that inner voice myself, and really pushing myself to step out.
Such a great question that I will copy and put in my journal. So true and so easy to allow fear to stop us in our tracks. I know that it is something I need to work on. Love the quote too. Thank you Seana
Kim Tremblay recently posted…Some of my Reflections on 2021
I enjoyed putting this month of quotes together. Each one speaks to me, and I hope others will enjoy them too!
This is a superb quote, and it reflects something with which I struggle. I rarely do anything until I feel like I have fully researched the options, considered all the consequences, and come to terms with any emotional fallout or stress I might have from the action. I can be decisive in many ways, but any time I feel I might have buyer’s remorse, the activation energy just isn’t there. I guess a life of being risk-averse and treating everyone else’s cautionary tales as my own has left a mark. Thank you for a quote to remind me to be bold!
Julie Bestry recently posted…Paper Doll’s 22 Ways To Celebrate GO Month 2022
I’m most definitely risk-averse myself. For the most part, this serves me well. But there those times when I need to just begin, even if I can’t see my pathway to the end.
I’m trying to schedule all those things that I want to do but haven’t started. I have planned the first quarter of the year. If I get it all done I know that I’ll feel major accomplishment! Hopefully that will help me continue with scheduling all the things for the rest of the year.
Janet Schiesl recently posted…10 Ways to Start Small
Good for you having your first quarter planned! I wish you great luck as you carry on. I find once you are “in action,” the next steps just present themselves!
Wow- Never underestimate the wisdom of Amy Poehler. When I read this quote, I think about how I often don’t start something unless I already know all the answers or steps that I need to take to complete the project or task. The unknown is super frightening to me and takes a lot of mental energy. When I look back at times that I dove right in, I can see that I usually learn something and feel mighty accomplished after. There is growth, all right. There also the fear that I am biting off more than I can chew. Taking that leap is still really hard for me. Thanks for making me reflect on this. I just took a bit of a leap that will impact my 2022 and now I am smiling in anticipation instead of dreading what it will bring!
I hear you, Jill. I tend to be pretty risk averse, and like to feel like I know what is going to happen. That said, it often happens that unexpected things develop, or my plans don’t work out as intended. So I think there is wisdom in your words about there being growth in those uncertain times. We develop skills during those times that we need, which is why this quote inspires me!
Seana, this quote is a great one to think about as we start a new year. Like many of the other organizers who’ve commented, I often need to research and feel extremely prepared for something before feeling”ready”. While preparation is important, it can also lead to procrastination or putting things off. As I make my annual plan for 2022, I’m going to really ask myself, “How much preparation to I really need before taking action?”
That’s a great question, Nancy. I’ll be tucking that one into my planning process as well. Often, I just need to begin.
This is an excellent consideration for starting off the new year. One of the things that holds many of us back when it comes to achieving goals is that we put off getting started until we feel ready to fully commit.
Yes, and then we get stuck in apprehension. Sometimes we have to simply take a step, and then tweak our course as we go.