The most common belief that holds us back (and how to fix it)

“I’m not ready yet.” It’s the excuse we give ourselves to stay comfortable. We tell ourselves we need more time, more skills, more confidence. But the truth? You’ll never feel ready. Growth is uncomfortable by design. 

This belief holds us back because it’s rooted in fear. Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. Fear of the unknown. But waiting for readiness is like waiting for the perfect wave—you’ll miss every opportunity while you’re standing on the shore.

In her late 20s, Sara Blakely was selling fax machines door-to-door. She had no background in fashion, design, or manufacturing, but she was frustrated with how her undergarments looked under white pants. One day, she cut the feet off a pair of pantyhose and realised she’d created a simple, revolutionary shapewear solution.

Sara didn’t wait until she was an expert in textiles or business to start. She Googled "hosiery mills" and cold-called factories, only to face rejection after rejection because no one thought her idea was viable. Eventually, one mill owner agreed to work with her—mainly because his daughters believed in her idea.

Without a formal business plan or industry connections, Sara learned by doing. She personally tested prototypes, handled marketing, and pitched Spanx to major retailers. Her big break came when she convinced a major retail buyer to try her product in the bathroom during a pitch meeting. That bold move worked. Spanx became a hit, and Oprah Winfrey featured it on her show, skyrocketing its popularity.

The Lesson:

Sara didn’t feel ready or qualified, but she trusted her instincts, started small, and adapted as she went. Her willingness to learn and improve led Spanx to become a billion-dollar brand, and she became the youngest self-made female billionaire.

Starting before you're ready isn’t about being reckless—it’s about taking imperfect action, staying curious, and committing to your growth along the way.

The world doesn’t need perfection, it just needs courage and effort. Action leads to learning. So take a step forward, do something uncomfortable and you might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.