Why You Should Start Before You’re Ready (And How I Did It Anyway)
There’s this weird moment when you kind of decide to change your life — but you’re still sitting on the couch, wondering if you actually will. That moment stretched way too long for me. I had ideas, dreams, frustrations… and a very comfortable ton of excuses. Until something shifted.
I wrote about that first truth in Beers & Code: The Journey Begins. The short version? The hardest part of change isn’t the work — it’s starting. Especially when you don’t feel ready.
So I didn’t wait until I felt ready. I just started.
I Didn’t Have a Plan, I Had a Sock Walk
You might expect some kind of deep motivational prep, maybe some Atomic Habits-level ritual building. Nope.
I just started walking. At home. In socks. Because I hate being barefoot and I couldn’t even be bothered to put shoes on at first.
Then one day, I dropped my shoes by the desk. And when I finished work, I’d slip them on and go. Not for a marathon. Just a walk. Movement, momentum — however small — became the mission, and the main goal was to make my heart pump a little bit faster.
I wasn’t tracking anything, I wasn’t reading fitness blogs, and I wasn’t following a habit loop. I was just doing the thing. Because waiting until you have the perfect setup is a fancy way to procrastinate.
“I’ll Get Serious When…” — Lies I Told Myself
It’s so tempting to think you’ll start taking things seriously when:
• You have more time.
• You feel more motivated.
• You read just one more book about how to do it.
But honestly, I’ve felt most alive when I started without a plan. When I let go of doing things “right” and just committed to doing something. That’s how this whole Beers n Code journey started.
And that walk in socks? It meant something. It meant I was finally moving — literally and mentally — toward the person I want to become.
Starting Is Scary Because It’s Real
Once you start, the clock starts too. That’s when the doubts show up:
• What if I can’t follow through?
• What if I suck at this?
• What if I actually can do this, and then I have to keep going?
But here’s the thing — starting exposes you to progress. And progress, even messy and imperfect, is better than any daydream of what could be.
Then Came The Goals (Sort Of)
I didn’t begin with a master plan. In fact, when I wrote this post, I had a pretty vague idea of where I was heading. I just knew I had to do something. Then, once I had a bit of momentum, I started shaping those ideas into actual goals.
That’s when I created this habit follow-up tracker, where I’ll be updating how each week goes — the wins, the setbacks, the lessons. Spoiler: It’s empty because I just set it up.
The Wrap-up That Wasn’t (Yet)
Look, I’ll be real. I was supposed to have three wrap-up posts by now. But this post — meant to be the first of many — turned into the only one for now.
I’m currently wrapping up weeks two and three in a single post because, surprise: life got in the way. Or rather, I let it. This is where consistency gets tested. But again, the fact that I’m still here, still writing, still showing up — that matters more than a perfectly kept schedule.
So, Why Should You Start Before You’re Ready?
Because “ready” is a myth. It’s a perfectionist’s dream and a procrastinator’s excuse.
Start now, even if it’s small. Even if it’s messy. Especially if it’s messy.
Put your shoes by the bed, door, or desk like me. Write the first line of that blog post. Open your code editor and write the world’s worst function. It’s a start — and that’s everything. And look, I am not here telling you to change the world, just start by doing something for you.
🚀 I want to hear from you:
What’s one thing you’ve been putting off until you feel “ready”?
Drop it in the comments — and let’s talk about how to take the first imperfect step. I’ll be replying to each one.
Also, if you want to follow along with how this goes for me (in real time, mess and all), check out the habit follow-up page.
