the readiness trap
- Ronja Hübscher
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
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Have you ever told yourself, "I'll do it when I feel ready"? Maybe you've been waiting to launch your business, step onto a bigger stage, or finally put yourself out there. But here's the truth: ready is a lie.
I just came off the incredible Women Thrive Summit 2025, where over 50 wonderful speakers shared their expertise, their stories, and their gifts. It was a year in the making, with weekly meetings leading up to it, yet when the day arrived, I still didn't feel ready. It caught me by surprise by how fast time went by and how suddenly it was time to go live. I caught myself thinking, If only I had another day of prep. If only I had tweaked this or that. But that’s the thing—we never truly feel ready.
why feeling ready is a myth
Think about the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone. Did you feel 100% prepared before you did it? Or did you take the leap despite the fear, only to realize afterward that you were more capable than you thought?
Most people delay action, believing that motivation or confidence will magically appear. But confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from action. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who waited until they felt ready. They’re the ones who took action even when they felt unsure.
Your brain is wired for comfort and safety. Any new challenge—whether it’s public speaking, launching a project, or making a bold career move—triggers resistance. Your brain whispers, Better not risk it. What if you fail? What if you look stupid? But growth happens before you feel ready, not after.
how to break free from the "I'm not ready" trap
So, if waiting to feel ready is keeping you stuck, how do you break free? Here’s the shift: instead of waiting for readiness, take the smallest possible step forward.
Want to start a podcast? Record a bad first episode today.
Want to improve your public speaking? Speak in front of a friend.
Want to launch a business? Outline your idea and share it on social media.
Small steps eliminate fear and build momentum. The more you do, the more confident you become. And the best part? Action fuels motivation.
motivation is just as unreliable as readiness
Ever noticed how you're suddenly motivated to clean your entire house when you’re avoiding a difficult task? That’s because motivation is fickle. If you rely on motivation to take action, you’ll be waiting forever.
Instead, successful people rely on discipline. They don’t wait to feel inspired—they commit to their goals and show up even when they don’t feel like it. This is how they create progress and maintain momentum.
set deadlines and commit
One of the biggest reasons I followed through with my talk at the Women Thrive Summit? There was a deadline. March 20th at 12 PM UK time. No extensions, no wiggle room. If there hadn’t been a set date, I might have convinced myself I needed more time. But a deadline forces you to move forward, even when you don’t feel "ready."
So, if you’ve been procrastinating, set a non-negotiable deadline. Tell a friend, a coach, or a mentor. Announce it publicly. The key is to commit to a date so you stop making excuses.
start before you're ready
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: waiting to feel ready is keeping you stuck. The only way to build confidence, gain experience, and move forward is to take action now.
So ask yourself—what’s one thing you’ve been putting off because you don’t feel ready? Take the smallest possible step today. The rest? You’ll figure it out along the way.
Let me know what resonated with you in this post. And remember—success belongs to those who start, not those who wait.
