Saying Yes Before You’re Ready

Let’s Be Honest—No One Feels 100% Ready

We all know that feeling. An opportunity pops up, and instead of saying, "YES! I’m so ready for this," your brain screams, "Run! You’re not qualified!" I've been there.

Here’s the thing: If you’re waiting to feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever. And if you do feel totally ready, you’re probably aiming too low. Most of the good stuff in my career came from saying yes before I had a clue what I was doing. Spoiler: I figured it out.

Imposter Syndrome: The Uninvited Guest

Ever thought, "I have no idea what I’m doing"? Congrats, you’re one of us. Imposter syndrome hits everyone. Even the people who look like they have their lives (and inboxes) perfectly organised.

Here’s the truth:

• Everyone’s winging it. Yep, even the polished ones.
• You’ve got more experience than you think. Problem-solving, adaptability, and showing up count for a lot.
• Confidence comes after you take action. Not before.

Quick Tip:

The next time you feel out of your depth, reframe it. Instead of thinking, "I’m completely lost," try "I’m figuring it out." Same situation, way better mindset.

Saying Yes Anyway: My Favourite Career Move

At 22, I took a job managing a team of four when I barely knew how to manage my own lunch breaks. But I said yes and figured it out.

Why saying yes works:

• Growth lives outside your comfort zone. Annoying but true.
• No one has it all figured out. The trick is trusting you’ll learn on the job.
• Opportunities don’t wait. Saying no out of fear can cost you something great.

Real Talk:

Think about the last time you said yes to something scary. Did you die? Nope. Did you learn? Probably.

Learning on the Fly (Without Losing It)

Saying yes is step one. Step two is figuring it out without looking like a disaster.

My top tips for learning as you go:

• Ask smart questions. Hint: "How do you normally handle this?" is a winner.
• Find your go-to resources. Google can be your best mate. So are mentors.
• Fake it till you make it—but keep learning. Confidence will carry you, but knowledge will keep you afloat.

Pro Tip:

Find someone who’s done it before and ask what they wish they knew when they started. Their answer will probably save you a lot of stress.

Building Your Confidence Toolkit

Confidence isn’t something you just wake up with one day. It’s built over time.

Here’s what’s in mine:

• A hype squad. Surround yourself with people who remind you what you’re capable of. (They’ll cheer you on even when you’re doubting everything.)
• Small wins. Tiny victories add up fast.
• A growth mindset. Every setback is a lesson. (Even if it stings a bit.)

Quick Exercise:

Write down three times you did something you thought you couldn’t. Next time doubt creeps in, read that list.

Taking Action (Even When You’re Terrified)

Here’s the deal: You’ll never feel completely ready.

Steps to taking action:

1. Say yes. Seriously, just say it.
2. Break it into bite-sized steps.
3. Ask for help (this is key).
4. Trust yourself. You’ve figured things out before; you can do it again.

Reminder:

Confidence is built by doing. The more you act, the easier it gets.

Final Thoughts: Ready Isn’t Real

If you take anything away from this, let it be this: saying yes before you’re ready is how you grow. You don’t need all the answers to start; you just need to trust that you’ll figure it out.

If you’re staring at an opportunity that scares you, I’ve been there. Happy to chat and share what worked for me—just reach out!

Hope you enjoyed reading this (if you got to the end that is)

Until next time ??