The cart and the horse may be exactly where they need to be

I was having coffee with a new connection. We share many of the same challenges/concerns in our businesses, and she made a comment about not feeling ready. She thinks that the cart may be before the horse in terms of truly launching her business. We talked through her concerns, and I said, “I think the cart and the horse are exactly where they need to be.”

Billionaire Richard Branson and lesser known Bill Richmond (musician/comedy writer) had similar thoughts on success. They both believed in saying yes to challenges and then figuring out how to achieve results. This notion or mantra – do it, then learn how – is challenging for many of us, especially women. We want everything to be 100% ready for any situation; whether it’s applying for a job, starting a new business, or taking on a new client.

We are worried that we’ll be judged harshly. Customers, potential managers, or connections will assume we can’t handle the job and reject us…or worse, they’ll tell everyone that we are a fraud (spoiler alert – this will not happen).

In other words, we don’t want to put the cart before the horse. But maybe, that’s exactly what we need to do. In many cases… if we have the right skills…we are ready to take on the challenge. We may not be 100% ready, but sometimes 80% or even 60% is enough to get started.

I remember accepting a promotion early in my career and having a near-panic attack because I thought I wasn’t ready. My husband had to talk me off the ledge and instead jump into the unknown, as he knew better than I that I was ready.

As I launch into a new phase of my career – business coaching – I know I don’t have all the answers. I learn every day, but I know that I’m more than capable to help my clients overcome many of the challenges they face as they grow their business.