You May Never Feel Totally Ready (And Why That's Actually Okay)
How to start now, start anywhere, and follow it everywhere.
The Power of Just Starting
Are you stuck waiting for the proverbial stars to align before embarking on a creative project? The burning desire to start coupled with self-doubt is daunting, and unfortunately, all too familiar for many of us.
Starting something new can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need a hyper-detailed plan of action to begin. Depending on what you’re working on (and how Type A you are), this may sound absolutely bonkers.
But I promise, what matters most is taking that first step, no matter how small.
Because success isn’t about starting perfectly; it’s about starting, anywhere, and seeing where it leads.
Overcoming the Fear of the "Right" Starting Point
One of the greatest misconceptions about starting a project is the need to find the “perfect” initiation point. But the unfortunate truth is that a focus on perfection often leads to procrastination.
Instead of obsessing over the final product, shift your mindset towards the process of discovery.
Imagine assembling a puzzle without knowing what the final picture looks like. Each piece you place illuminates the next step until, eventually, the bigger picture comes into focus.
Your starting point doesn’t have to be the perfect one; it simply needs to be anywhere.
Sometimes the need for perfection takes on weird new shapes, like over-researching, hyper organization, and analysis paralysis. All of these may seem like productive undertakings that are moving you towards the start of a project, but are actually moving you further away from reaching your goals.
Ask me how I know. 😫
Shifting From Product to Process
The concept of “start anywhere, follow it everywhere” encapsulates this beautifully. It’s not about having the perfect plan upfront but about creating the map as you go.
When you begin, you invite progress and serendipity into the process, allowing you to pivot, explore, and uncover opportunities you never initially considered.
The Art Of The Start
Actor Hugh Laurie once said, “It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything…There is only now. And you may as well do it now.”
Waiting for readiness is a futile endeavor. The perfect conditions rarely exist, but the present moment is always available.
Starting now lets you turn your intentions into momentum. Every step forward builds confidence, motivation, and the belief that you are capable of navigating whatever lies ahead.
Serendipity and Exploration
Have you ever started something with one intention, only to discover an entirely different path along the way? That’s the magic of exploration and chance encounters.
By starting anywhere, you are throwing down the welcome mat for uncovering opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
For example, writers often start drafts not knowing the exact trajectory of their story. Entrepreneurs launch products that evolve into vastly different ideas based on customer feedback. Substack writers launch newsletters that evolve and grow with their audience over time.
Starting is not about knowing everything in advance; it’s about being willing to discover as you go.
Embracing Uncertainty
Starting a new project without knowing the exact end result can certainly feel disorienting. Uncertainty can definitely be unnerving, even mildly anxiety-inducing, but it’s also where growth and innovation happen.
Instead of fearing the unknown, expect it, and view it as part of the creative process.
Pretty much ever successful entrepreneur, creator, and leader has started with a healthy heap of unknowns. Steve Jobs started Apple in his garage without a guaranteed outcome. Sara Blakely developed Spanx with limited resources and rejection at every turn. Melanie Perkins was told “no” over 100 times by venture capitalists when raising money for the now wildly popular all-in-one design tool, Canva.
The common denominator? They started anyway, embraced uncertainty, and allowed the process to unfold.
“Failure for me became not trying, versus the outcome.” - Sara Blakely
Start Anywhere, Follow Everywhere
Key takeaway: The only prerequisite for progress is to start.
Big journeys don’t demand elaborate plans, they simply demand a single step. That first step leads to the next and the next until you’ve created a path entirely your own.
And no starting point is too small or insignificant! Whether you’re jotting down an idea, making a phone call, or attending an event that inspires you, every act can be a catalyst for bigger things.
Don’t Miss This Post:
"Start anywhere, follow everywhere" is a reminder that you don’t need the perfect starting point to solve a problem or make a change. Start with what you have and see where it leads.
Do This Instead of That
Feeling Overwhelmed? Break tasks into smaller, manageable actions. Use a tool like Todoist to help you create lists of small steps. This is an affiliate link, and I only recommend tools that I use and can vouch for!
Fear of Failure? Reframe failure as an essential part of learning. Keep a daily journal to catalog what you’ve learned, where you’re winning, and what’s next.
Brain Defaulting To Perfection Mode? Remind yourself that done is better than perfect. Perusing motivational content here on Substack can help you maintain your perspective and connect with fellow creators that are also on their creative journey.
Actionable Forward Momentum
Whatever you’ve been putting off, start today. Here are some micro-actions to consider:
Write the first sentence of the book you’ve always wanted to write.
Put together a visual mood board for a creative business brand you’ve been thinking about starting.
Create a playlist of music that inspires your creativity.
You’ll never regret starting, but you may regret letting another day slip by while you linger in self-doubt about what you’re working on.
Your Next Step Toward Creation
Every great achievement begins with a single step. Don’t wait for the perfect moment.
Start now, start anywhere, and follow it everywhere.
If you’re ready to turn intention into action, join us for the Summer of Fearless Creation on June 20.
This is your chance to connect with like-minded creators, gain inspiration, and find your path forward.
Here’s What To Expect:
✉️ Actionable ideas and creative insights every Friday for 12 weeks, starting June 20
📣 Get support and feedback from fellow creators in our group chat
💡 New ways to stay focused and resilient in the creative process
Love this! There is never a right time or moment to start. The moment you start IS the right moment. So stop with procrastination and begin! 💙 I recently shared a piece on procrastination and how it relates to getting started, so I especially resonated with this post. Thank you! 🩵
I love the line: “…you invite progress and serendipity into the process”. Sometimes serendipity show up, but I’ll be sending a personal invite from here on :)