There’s Never a Perfect Time to Start: Why Waiting is Your Biggest Mistake
How often do you find yourself saying, “I’ll start when I have more time,” or, “I’ll begin once I know more about it”? These excuses sound reasonable, even responsible. But here’s the truth: there’s never a perfect time to start something new. If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never take the first step.
The Myth of “The Right Time”
Life is messy and unpredictable. If you wait for the perfect moment, it will never come. There will always be distractions, responsibilities, and reasons to delay. Here are some of the most common excuses people use—and why they’re holding you back:
1. “I Don’t Have Enough Time”
Time is one of the most common excuses. People assume they need large, uninterrupted blocks of time to start something new. The reality? Progress doesn’t require hours a day. Small, consistent steps can lead to significant change.
2. “I Don’t Know Enough”
Another popular excuse is waiting to become an expert before starting. But no one starts as an expert. Knowledge and expertise are built through doing, failing, and learning.
3. “I’m Not Ready”
The idea of “readiness” is a myth. You’ll never feel fully ready for something new because growth happens outside your comfort zone. Starting before you’re ready is the first step toward confidence.
Why You Should Start Anyway
1. You Learn by Doing
Real learning happens when you take action. You’ll never know all the answers upfront, and that’s okay. The best way to gain knowledge is to dive in and figure things out as you go.
Example: Think about learning to ride a bike. You didn’t wait until you fully understood balance, gears, or speed. You got on the bike, fell a few times, and improved with practice.
2. Progress Beats Perfection
Waiting for perfection is another way of procrastinating. Instead of focusing on doing everything right, focus on taking the next step. Progress, no matter how small, beats perfection every time.
3. Momentum Builds Confidence
Starting creates momentum. As you take small steps, you’ll build confidence and motivation. Action leads to results, which fuels even more action.
Breaking Through the Excuses
Here’s how to overcome the common barriers holding you back:
a. Start Small
If time is your excuse, start with just 10 minutes a day. Small efforts compound over time, and before you know it, you’ll have made significant progress.
Example: If you want to write a book, don’t worry about completing it in one sitting. Start by writing 100 words a day.
b. Embrace Imperfection
Understand that mistakes are part of the process. Every expert started as a beginner. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll grow and improve.
c. Set Deadlines
Deadlines create urgency. Even self-imposed deadlines can help you stop procrastinating and take action.
Real-Life Examples of Starting Before You’re Ready
1. Entrepreneurs
Many successful entrepreneurs didn’t wait until they had all the answers to start their businesses. They learned on the job, adjusted their strategies, and built their expertise along the way.
2. Artists and Creators
Most artists begin without perfect skills. They improve by practicing, experimenting, and creating regularly, not by waiting until they’re “ready.”
What Happens When You Start Now
- You Build Experience: Starting today means gaining valuable experience sooner. The more you practice, the better you’ll become.
- You Beat Fear: Taking action is the best way to overcome fear and self-doubt.
- You Surprise Yourself: Often, you’ll realize you’re more capable than you thought.
The Cost of Waiting
Every day you wait is a day you could be growing, learning, and moving closer to your goals. Delaying action doesn’t just waste time—it reinforces the belief that you’re not ready, creating a cycle of procrastination.
A Simple Challenge to Get Started
Take one small step today toward your goal. Whether it’s writing the first sentence of your book, signing up for a class, or dedicating 10 minutes to learning, action is the antidote to procrastination.
Conclusion
There will never be a perfect time to start something new. Excuses like “I don’t have time” or “I don’t know enough” only hold you back from reaching your potential. The truth is, you’ll learn and grow along the way. By starting now, you set yourself on the path to becoming the expert you aspire to be.
Stop waiting.
Start today.
Future you will thank you.
KJ
