Sometimes you have to build the tracks before the train exists

Between Austria and Italy, nestled in the Alps, lies a stretch of mountains called the Semmering. In the mid-1800s, an Austrian engineer, Carl Ritter von Ghega, took on the impossible: designing a railway that could cross the steep, massive peaks. At the time, there wasn’t a train in existence capable of making the climb.

Von Ghega believed that one day, a train powerful enough to make the steep would exist. So he began laying the tracks anyway. His passion and vision—linking Vienna to Venice—outpaced the limitations of his era. And years later, the train came.

The Semmering Railway remains a marvel of engineering and a true testament to the visionaries bold enough to act and make things happen before the tools they need even exist.

This past summer, I kicked off a brand-new blog series created for everyone, but especially for businesswomen and female founders who are in transition or trying to navigate their careers, businesses, and the concept of "having it all."

My thoughts and perspectives are deeply influenced by my experiences as a Black female entrepreneur, community leader, and business professional for the last 20 years (which is insane to write, lol).

This week's moment of clarity:

Building something new means embracing uncertainty—take action now, even if the full picture isn't clear.

I first learned about Von Ghega's story and historic impact when it was mentioned in one of my favorite movies I keep on repeat - Under the Tuscan Sun.

Along with encouraging an intense need to book a trip to Tuscany STAT, I believe the movie also inspires a powerful question for all of us to marinate on:

What tracks are you willing to build today, even if the “train” hasn’t arrived yet?

Under the Tuscan Sun tells the story about Frances, a woman who after a painful divorce and losing what feels like everything important in her life, finds herself in the heart of Tuscany, searching for a fresh start. We follow along her journey of rebuilding her life in Italy - a beautiful, but absolutely unfamiliar place filled with uncertainty and unexpected challenges.

It’s here in Tuscany, in the midst of reinvention, that Frances discovers her own strength and the power of trusting the process and taking courageous action, even when the full picture isn’t clear.

Whether you’re starting a business without having all the answers, applying for a new role you’re not sure you’ll land, or launching an initiative that feels too ahead of its time, it's important to embrace uncertainty and act as if your vision is already happening.

Von Ghega didn’t wait for certainty. In an era when no train could possibly navigate those steep mountains, he trusted that innovation and progress would eventually catch up with his vision.

Frances didn’t wait for everything to be “perfect” before she took the leap—she built her new life step by step, eventually trusting that the changes she made would lead her to something greater.

They didn’t wait for the perfect moment.

They believed in themselves and the power of progress and transformation—and took the first steps without knowing exactly where the path would lead.

As we get closer to ushering in a brand new year, I believe that this is the mindset we will need to embrace in order to win:

• Commit to your vision: Trust that the journey will reveal the path, even if it feels uncertain at first.
• Act now: Take the first step, even if the tools or resources you need aren’t fully developed or ready yet.
• Stay aggressively persistent: Like the Semmering Railway or Frances in Tuscany, success often takes time, but each action moves you closer to your goal.

In business, leadership, or life, we often hold ourselves back because we’re waiting for guarantees. But like building the railway, sometimes you gotta start before the train is ready to go.

What action can you take today, even if you don’t have all the answers yet?

As always, thank you for reading and your support. If there is an opportunity to speak with your organization or at your event in 2025, let's chat! Shoot me a line: [email protected].

Jasmin