The Myth of Being Ready: Why You’ll Never Feel 100% Prepared to Start Your Business

Let’s cut straight to the chase: There is no such thing as “being ready” or as the “perfect time” to start your business.

I know that’s not what you want to hear, but trust me, it’s what you need to hear.

You can spend weeks, months, even years waiting for the stars to align—for your skills to feel “good enough,” for your bank account to hit a magic number, or for life to calm down enough to give you the green light. But here’s the truth: If you’re waiting to feel 100% ready, you’ll never start.

Let’s break down why this “being ready myth” holds so many entrepreneurs back—and how you can finally break free from it and take action now.

Why the “Being Ready” Mindset Is a Trap

The idea of “being ready” is comforting, right? It makes us feel like if we wait long enough, we’ll magically feel confident, qualified, and in control. But the truth is:

• Readiness isn’t a destination. You’ll always find reasons to feel like you’re not quite there yet.
• The longer you wait, the scarier it gets. Overthinking creates imaginary obstacles that grow bigger the longer you stare at them.
• Action is the only thing that creates confidence. Confidence doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from doing.

Case in Point:
I dreamed of launching my own agency for a long time. But I kept telling myself, “One day I’ll be ready,” or “I’ll do it when I have enough experience” or “once I’ve saved up enough.” The problem? That “enough” was a moving target.

After years of waiting, I finally took the leap. Was I 100% ready? Hell no! But I figured it out as I went—and within six months, I was running a successful business out of my backpack while traveling South America, wondering why I didn’t start sooner.

Why You’ll Never Be Ready

Readiness is a myth because it’s rooted in fear:

• Fear of failure.
• Fear of judgment.
• Fear of the unknown.

Your brain wants to protect you from these “threats,” so it convinces you to wait for more certainty, more security, more something.

But guess what? Life is inherently uncertain. No matter how much you prepare, there will always be unknowns, challenges, and things you can’t control.

The Hidden Costs of Waiting

Every day you spend waiting for you to “be ready” is a day you’re not:

• Learning what works and what doesn’t.
• Building momentum.
• Growing your skills, audience, or business.

Case in Point:
One of my clients had an idea for an online course but kept hesitating to launch it. She wanted to create the perfect content, film with the best equipment, and ensure every detail was flawless. After months of waiting, she finally launched a beta version with just a simple Zoom recording and a PDF workbook.

The result? Her beta students loved it and gave her the feedback she needed to refine her course. That messy first version paved the way for a polished, successful launch later on.

Breaking Free from the “Ready” Mindset

If you’re stuck in the waiting game, here’s how to break free:

1. Redefine Success

Success doesn’t mean getting everything perfect on the first try. It means taking a step forward, learning, and improving as you go.

Pro Tip: Focus on progress, not perfection. Each small win builds momentum and confidence.

2. Start Before You’re Ready

Take one small step today. It doesn’t have to be huge—just something that moves you closer to your goal.

• Launch a landing page.
• Share your idea on social media.
• Reach out to someone in your network for feedback.

Pro Tip: Action creates clarity. You’ll learn more in one week of trying than in six months of planning.

3. Embrace the Unknown

Instead of fearing the unknown, get curious about it. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, adapt, and figure things out.

Pro Tip: Replace “What if it doesn’t work?” with “What can I learn from this?”

What Happens When You Just Start Before Being Ready

When you let go of the need to feel ready, you open yourself up to possibilities. You stop overthinking and start building.

Case in Point:
A client of mine wanted to start a yoga studio but felt paralyzed by doubts—she didn’t have the perfect space, the perfect schedule, or the perfect equipment. I encouraged her to start small by hosting pop-up classes at local parks.

Those pop-ups turned into a loyal following, which gave her the confidence and revenue to secure her own studio. If she’d waited for “being ready,” she might still be stuck in planning mode.

Final Thoughts: The Only Way to Feel Ready Is to Start

Here’s the truth no one tells you: The path to “being ready” is paved with action. You’ll never wake up one day feeling 100% prepared, and that’s okay.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step. Messy, imperfect, and a little bit scary—that’s how every successful entrepreneur starts.

So, stop waiting for “ready.” Start building. Your future self will thank you.

Ready to take that first step toward your dream business? Join my next Expedition Solopreneur Cohort and create a simple, actionable plan to get you moving—no perfection required.