Why Willingness Trumps Readiness and What You Need to Know About It

This is the time of year when we reflect on the past 12 months.

We think about the things we had planned but didn’t accomplish. Or, we think about the things we’d like to accomplish in the coming new year.

Oftentimes, for the things we didn’t get done, we make the excuse “I wasn’t ready.” That excuse also comes in handy when we feel scared or overwhelmed by our future goals.

We might say (and sometimes truly believe) we’re not ready to start a big goal.

The thought goes like this:

“I’m not ready because X, Y, and Z aren’t in place yet.”

So first, let me ask you, are you ready to tackle your goals? Now, let me answer that question for you.

Are You Ready?

No, you’re not. You never will be.

Why? Because X, Y, and Z aren’t all going to perfectly line up at the same time.

You’re waiting for the perfect time to get started, and there’s no such thing as the perfect time.

In fact, there are a lot of things you won’t be able to perfect until AFTER you get started. The real question is not “Are you ready?”

The real question is,

“Are you willing?”

Does Willingness Trump Readiness?

Does willingness trump readiness? Yes, it does. Here’s why:

For things to happen, you have to have the willingness to start with the first step toward your goals. There’s no telling if or when you’ll develop feelings of readiness. But the willingness will be the thing that helps you push beyond those feelings.

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here. I’m not encouraging poor planning.

You should always do your research and consider the cost and feasibility of your goals. That’s the first step you should take.

Willingness to take this first step will lead to wise decisions. And, it will keep you from remaining paralyzed and wasting time waiting for the perfect time.

No Regrets

This may sound a little familiar because I’ve blogged about this topic before. I do so because I know too many people who have regretted the things they didn’t do more than the things they did do.

I want to encourage people to pursue their goals and their passions in a responsible way. It’s why I do what I do. It says so in my vision statement:

“I believe you can find the courage to discover and pursue your passions despite the obstacles you may face. I want to see you actively pursue your passions with flair (‘paNASH’) and confidence, along with responsibility to your purpose in life.”

I can look back on my own life and see what I would’ve missed out on had I waited for the perfect time to pursue my goals.

If I had waited until I was married to go to Australia on a honeymoon like I thought I wanted to instead of just going by myself on a month-long vacation for my 30th birthday, I would have missed out on such a fun and amazing experience.

If I had waited until I had enough contacts, enough money saved, and a stable economy to leave my full-time job to start my own business like I did 10 years ago, I’d probably still be waiting.

It wasn’t timing that got me off my butt to do those things, it was willingness.

Are you willing?

So I’ll ask you the question again:

Are you willing?

If so, the paNASH 8-Step Goal-Achievement Plan can help you stop procrastinating and start taking steps to not only setting your goals, but ACHIEVING them!

Click here to subscribe to the paNASH newsletter and receive a complimentary copy of the 8-Step Goal-Achievement Plan so this time next year, you can look back and see what all you can accomplish with just a little willingness!