The Myth of Being Ready

How many times have you heard, “Save for a rainy day!” or “Guard against the downside.”?  Both of those phrases, and many, many more, are warnings that people share out of their concern for your well being, or so they think. But they are the shrieks of those who urge you to play it small and keep risks at bay.

Back you damn temptress! I know that I would be safe if I just didn’t listen to you!

How often do you hear that from someone else?  How often is that voice coming from inside your own head?

I believe that readiness is a myth.  If I save for a rainy day, it may pour and I will never have enough.  If I only guard against the downside, I may never act.

I have learned far more from acting when I’m not ready, than I have from trying to plump my cushion in case I fall.

Through the years, I’ve taken many, many bold steps.  Some have worked….and some, have not.  I have bought houses that I was not set to pay for and – lost in the process.  I have invested in businesses and classes that haven’t paid me a dime.  I have moved to an “ideal location” only to find that I hated it two months later.  Bold moves, and unsuccessful ones.  May be I should have thought twice…or may be not.

I have moved my family to another state to get a graduate degree that I was warned I probably couldn’t complete in four years, and did.  I have worked with colleagues to earn millions in grant funding, even though I wanted to run, multiple times.  I have held it together, in the face of a lot, and I’ll leave it at that.

I have tried and I’ve come out far, far ahead through both the wins and what appeared to be the losses.  Because I’ve always learned.  May be the lesson had to hit me upside my head multiple times, but I’ve learned.  I’ve learned about others and most importantly, I’ve learned about myself.  If I had waited until I was ready…those lessons would never have come.

So, “ready” is a myth.  If I wait until I’m ready, by that time there is a chance my motivation will be lost.  Action isn’t about ready.  Action is about now.  It’s the risk I take to actually live this crazy life on my terms.  No more myths!  Here I come….ready or not!