What’s in Your Toolbox?

Think of a time you’ve started something new. Maybe it was a new job, hobby, or school. How did you feel at first?

That time likely felt uncomfortable. Often, we anticipate this uncomfortable feeling that comes with going after something new, and it can keep us from doing it. We think about what might go wrong, how we might be judged, and how we don’t know how to do the thing.

As I transitioned from being a fighter pilot to an entrepreneur a year ago (how has it already been that long?!) I felt all of these things. I was asked by many of my peers how I could step confidently into something that I didn’t have the tactical skills for. I was good at flying airplanes. I didn’t know how to run a business. I hadn’t been giving speeches to big crowds. I definitely didn’t know how taxes and QuickBooks work.

When they asked this, I honestly didn’t know what to tell them at the time other than I was sure it would work out. Was this blind faith or foolish optimism? Reflecting back, I like to think it was more than that.

A point I drive home when I speak is that the key to progress is having the courage to start something when you’re not ready but believing in yourself enough to know you will figure it out along the way.

That sounds great, but how do we do that? How do we find courage?

I recently listened to a podcast interview between Mel Robbins (speaker, author, and inspirer extraordinaire) and Amy Porterfield (online marketing expert). There was a ton of great info on how to leap from a 9-5 to building an online business. She also said something valuable for anyone trying to muster the courage to head off into the unknown.

Amy shared how she often hears people give reasons why they haven’t pursued what they really want to do, like: I don’t know how to build a website, or I’ve never done marketing. Let’s make this clear if you never went after something because you hadn’t already mastered the exact skills needed for that thing, you would never grow! She summed this up with the phrase, ‘courage leads confidence.’

We want to be confident when we start something, but confidence is built on a proven track record of success. You aren’t going to have that right out of the gate. That’s where the courage comes in. You can create the courage to bridge the confidence gap by realizing you do have a proven track record. For example, I shared all the business skills I didn’t have when I started. But I had a proven track record of putting in the work, being resourceful, and seeking out the right people to help.

Common phrases you hear in a fighter squadron debrief are that’s another thing to add to your bag of tricks, or there’s another tool for your toolbox. This usually follows an instructor sharing a new way to view a problem or a new technique with you. This thing will be something that can help you attack an obstacle in the future. You have a toolbox full of tools!

When you are contemplating taking a leap of faith into something that feels scary and uncomfortable, consider this:

-What are some examples of things I have succeeded at in the past?

-What skills did I use?

-How can those skills help me succeed this time?

Reflect on the tools in your toolbox, and you will realize you have what you need to figure it out as you go, even when you don’t feel ready. A bit of fear and apprehension is normal. The key is to realize that is ok and still take action toward your goals.

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