You Are Ready Now, Really

October 23, 2017

by Ravi Raman

The secret to getting ahead is getting started.

– Mark Twain (supposedly…)

I wasn’t ready to be a manager when I first landed that promotion.

I wasn’t ready to quit my job when I answered a calling to explore.

I wasn’t ready to be a coach when I started my business.

I wasn’t ready to lead a room full of yogis when I became a teacher.

I wasn’t ready to survive a black diamond ski run when I gave it a go.

I wasn’t ready for an Ironman when I took the plunge.

I wasn’t ready for married life when I tied the knot.

I wasn’t ready to do these things, but I did them anyway.

What happened next?

I became a better leader.

I became a better explorer.

I became a better coach.

I became a better teacher.

I became a better skier.

I became a better triathlete.

I became a better husband.

What have I learned?

I’ve spoken to, and coached; doctors, lawyers, business owners, corporate executives and other high performers.

I’ve also studied the life stories of dozens of success people.

Not a single person felt “ready” when they started doing things they are now famous for.

The paradox of success is that you become outstanding at something by doing it in spite of your insecurity.

Technology companies understand this paradox. They embrace an attitude of learning by shipping.

What does this mean for you?

Don’t wait for your feelings to change in order to act. Act and your feelings will change.

You must start before you “feel” ready.

I don’t know what you are looking to do. I don’t know what you would like to have. I don’t know who you desire to be.

All I know is that you are READY NOW.

Call for comments

What are you ready to start doing now?

It would make my day to hear from you in the comments below!

4 Comments

  1. Gretchen Dennison

    Ravi, I love your succinct and positively illustrative bullet points and examples. They hit the mark and wake me up in a very pleasant fashion. This little piece was just the reminder that I needed today. Thank You!

    Reply
    • Ravi Raman

      Hi Gretchen, thanks for your comment. This particular post was very relevant for my lately, glad it resonates with you as well.

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth

    I am ready to refine my skills as a visual artist and try to sell my paintings online. I am ready to get my TEFL certification and travel abroad. Thank you for this email.

    Reply
    • Ravi Raman

      Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for the comments. Have any images of your art to share? Would love to see it!

      FYI – my wife and I went to one of those “wine and painting” classes a couple days ago. Here is my painting. It’s a “Colorado Dalia”….a flower in the colors of the CO state flag! What do you think? My wife says I should stick to my day job (ha!).

      Colorado Dalia by Ravi Raman (painted 10/29/17)

      Reply

Leave your comment below:

Read on 📚

What I’ve learned this year (2022 edition)

What I’ve learned this year (2022 edition)

John Dewey, an education reformer and philosopher, is well-known for his understanding that learning doesn't come from experience. It comes from reflecting on experience. Being December as I write this, there is a certain nostalgia in the air as the year comes to a...

Bad news and the power of suspending judgment

Bad news and the power of suspending judgment

Michael slipped on a patch of ice getting into a friends car and fell. A self-proclaimed "klutz," taking a tumble wasn't out of the ordinary. This time, embarrassment wasn't the problem. A lingering pain in his wrist meant something serious was going on. An MRI would...

The Friendly Universe Hypothesis

The Friendly Universe Hypothesis

Is the universe friendly, wicked or ambivalent? I posed this question on LinkedIn a while ago and it provoked reactions, some shared in DMs or email, that ranged from "yes yes yes!!!" to "WTF? The universe doesn't give a s@#t about anyone". Responses showed that most...

The Value Of Sabbaticals In A Workaholic World

The Value Of Sabbaticals In A Workaholic World

This very week 7 years ago was momentous for me. After 13 years at Microsoft I took my first prolonged break from work. It was a true "sabbatical" which according to Google is defined as a sustained period of paid leave for every seven years worked. I was overdue by...

What is Coaching?

What is Coaching?

What is Coaching and who can benefit from it? A simple definition of coaching is set forth by the largest coaching industry and professional organization, the International Coaching Federation (ICF): ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a...

The Truth About Getting More Out Of Less

The Truth About Getting More Out Of Less

What does it take to achieve more? For most of my life, I’ve lived with an underlying assumption that to produce more, I must do more. If I wish to make more money, I must work more. If I want to be better at a sport, I must practice more. If I want to improve the...