Still Waiting to Feel Ready? The Truth About Confidence & Action
Posted on 22nd March 2025 at 07:00
Why Taking Action Feels Like Struggling to Open a Stubborn Jar
You know the feeling. You’re in the kitchen, staring down a stubborn jar lid. You twist and strain, but it won’t budge. Doubt creeps in—maybe it’s too tight, maybe you’re not strong enough. You consider giving up. But then, after one final effort—pop!—the lid loosens, and suddenly, it’s easy.
That’s exactly how confidence works.
At first, action feels difficult, even impossible. Self-doubt whispers that you’re not ready. You hesitate, fearing failure. But the truth is, confidence isn’t what makes action possible—taking action is what builds confidence. The moment you push past resistance, things start to click into place.
If you’re tired of waiting to feel ready, let’s change that. Book a Strategy Call here and start stepping into your full potential today.
The Neuroscience Behind Pain and Pleasure in Motivation
At our core, humans are driven by two forces—pain and pleasure. These sensations are deeply rooted in our brain's neurochemistry.
The Brain's Reward System
The brain's reward system, primarily involving the dopamine pathways, plays a crucial role in regulating motivation. Dopamine, often called the "motivation molecule," is released in anticipation of a reward, reinforcing behaviours that lead to pleasure. Conversely, the opioid system is responsible for the actual experience of pleasure or pain relief (Berridge & Kringelbach, 2015).
Pain as a Motivator
Pain and pleasure share overlapping neural circuits. This means that experiencing pain can push us toward action to seek relief. For example, enduring an intense workout (pain) leads to the release of endorphins, which create a pleasurable "runner's high" (Leknes & Tracey, 2008). This mechanism explains why we often procrastinate on tasks without immediate pleasure yet endure discomfort for long-term gains.
At our core, humans are driven by two forces—pain and pleasure. Every decision we make is about either avoiding discomfort or chasing something rewarding.
But here’s where most people get stuck -
The pain of stepping outside your comfort zone feels immediate. Public speaking, launching a project, or making a big decision can trigger anxiety.
The pleasure of success feels distant and uncertain. You won’t experience the rewards until after you take the leap.
This is why so many people hesitate. The brain prioritises short-term relief over long-term gain. But if you let that pattern dictate your life, you’ll always be waiting to feel ‘ready.’
The Truth About Being Ready
Most people believe that confidence comes before action. That one day, they’ll wake up and suddenly feel prepared to take on challenges. But that moment never comes.
There will always be someone who knows more than you—and someone who knows less. Your job isn’t to be the best in the world; it’s to show up, share what you know, and keep growing.
You have an obligation to step up. Imagine if every expert had waited until they were 100% ready before sharing their knowledge. The world would have no teachers, no innovators, no progress.
Action creates momentum. Just like that jar lid, it feels impossible at first, but the more you try, the easier it gets.
Real Stories - Breaking Through the Readiness Trap
Vincent van Gogh - Creating Without Waiting for Approval
Vincent van Gogh, one of history’s greatest artists, faced relentless self-doubt and external criticism throughout his life. Despite producing over 2,000 artworks, he sold only a handful while alive. Instead of waiting to be ‘ready’ or validated, he kept creating. His story proves that action—not external approval—fuels greatness.
Emma’s Story - The Fear of Not Knowing Enough
When I met Emma, she had spent years dreaming about becoming a life coach but always held back. "Who am I to teach others?" she’d say. "There are people far more qualified than me."
She waited, convinced she needed another certification, another course, another year of experience. But one day, she realised something—there were people who needed help right now, and she already had enough knowledge to make a difference.
She started small. She offered free coaching sessions to friends, then slowly built a client base. Within a year, she had a thriving coaching business. "If I had waited until I felt ready," she told me later, "I would still be stuck."
Jake’s Story - Overcoming the Fear of Public Failure
Jake had always been fascinated by entrepreneurship, but every time he thought about starting a business, fear shut him down. "What if I fail publicly? What if people laugh at me?" These thoughts kept him paralysed for years.
One day, he decided to take a different approach—he would embrace failure instead of fearing it. He started small, launching a side project just to see what would happen. To his surprise, the world didn’t collapse. Some things worked, some didn’t, but each step gave him more clarity and confidence. Now, he runs a successful business.
5 Steps to Stop Waiting & Start Acting Now
1. Reframe ‘Readiness’ as a Myth
Stop seeing confidence as a prerequisite and start seeing it as the result of taking action.
Ask yourself - What if readiness is just an illusion?
Take action before you feel ready. The best way to feel prepared is to start.
Trust that growth happens in motion.
2. Attach More Pain to Inaction Than Action
Your brain naturally avoids pain—but what if staying stuck was actually more painful than moving forward?
Imagine your life five years from now if nothing changes. How does that feel?
Shift your perspective. Taking action might be uncomfortable, but regret is far worse.
3. Share What You Know, Even if You’re Not an ‘Expert’
Someone out there needs what you have to offer—right now.
Teach, mentor, or support others. Helping someone else reinforces what you know.
Remember, you don’t have to be the best—just a few steps ahead.
Read my book Beyond Limits for deeper insights on stepping into your full potential.
4. Take the Smallest Possible Step—Now
Big goals feel overwhelming, which is why small steps are key.
Use the 5-second rule. Count down and take action before hesitation kicks in.
Start where you are. One email, one conversation, one decision—just move.
5. Surround Yourself with Action-Takers
Who you spend time with influences your beliefs about what’s possible.
Join communities where action is the norm. Confidence is contagious.
Limit exposure to negativity. Doubters and pessimists only reinforce hesitation.
For additional mindset shifts, visit my Resources Page or watch my YouTube playlist for affirmations and strategies.
Take Action Now
Waiting for confidence before taking action is like waiting for a train on a track that was never built. Confidence is built through movement, not stillness.
If you don’t start today, when will you? Now is the moment.
Stop waiting—Book a Strategy Call now and take control of your future.
Think about a time in your life when you hesitated—when you let doubt hold you back. Now, imagine how different things could be if you had taken action sooner.
The truth is, there’s no perfect moment. Confidence isn’t given, it’s earned. And the only way to earn it is to step forward, even when you don’t feel ready.
Imagine where you could be in a year if you started today. Don’t let self-doubt steal another opportunity—Book a Strategy Call now and step into the life you deserve!
What’s one thing you’ve been waiting to feel ready for? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Tagged as: Career Development, Confidence Building, Decision making, Goal setting, Mindset Shift, Motivation, Overcome Fear, Personal Growth, Self-doubt, Self-improvement, Success strategies, Take Action
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