“The readiness is all”, Hamlet said to Horatio.
What does it mean to be ready?
In my line of work, it’s frequently about overcoming fear.
I meet people who are ready to change. They can imagine themselves being more assertive. They dream of their promotion. They visualise themselves in a new role. They can almost touch it.
What they are not ready for is failure. In particular, they are not ready to look stupid. They are not ready to be disappointed. Frequently, they are also not ready for it to take long. And so, they freeze 🥶
Do you beautiful people reading this post relate to the above?
When you were ready for the good stuff but not for the hard stuff, did you simply give up?
Change won’t happen if you’re not ready for the hard stuff: you won’t get better at influencing, you won’t have more impact, you won’t learn how to read the room, your boss won’t put you up for a promotion.
You will continue to live in your “familiar hell”, like staying in a job you’ve outgrown or avoiding difficult conversations at work.
Do you want to know how to get ready for the hard stuff?
You forget about being ready.
You don’t need all your ducks in the proverbial row.
You don’t wait for the right time either.
As adults conditioned to fear and readiness, there is a way to let go of the fear but it isn’t easy.
Recall early life experiences. I can remember falling when learning to ride a bike. And later when learning to ride a horse. I did feel fear but I wasn’t so afraid then and I kept at it.
Did you do that too? What helped you stay in the saddle, literally or metaphorically?
Was it willpower? We often misuse willpower – using it to punish ourselves instead of to support ourselves.
We have all had that experience of not feeling ready for change. What is that journey to readiness?
Would you share your stories of becoming ready?
If you are currently frustrated by your lack of readiness for a change you hunger for, reach out and tell me👋
If you know someone longing for a crucial change and yet frozen stiff, don’t hesitate to tell me a little about them 🙏
Let’s not wait to feel ready. Let’s choose courage over comfort! Are you in?
