Last week, on November 9th, I celebrated my one year anniversary! One year ago on that date I went live with my website, and uploaded my very first YouTube video.
Full disclosure: I was terrified. Lol. But I worked through that fear. And I’m so glad I did!
I have learned so much and come so far, and I honestly could not have done it without you, my awesome supporters. I appreciate all of you so, so much. Thank you! 😊
As per my kid’s suggestion, I’ve started an annual tradition: a redo of my very first YouTube video. You can see it in the second half of this video:
Here’s the original video for reference. I’ve improved a bit, eh. 😉
Following is the script from that first video. It’s funny, I wrote this script to help anyone who is struggling, but ultimately it is this very script that got me to stop procrastinating, and to start taking action. I’m going to reread this script regularly whenever I struggle with procrastination, and/or imposter syndrome (which is often). You should too.
You will never feel ready… to take that difficult step. To pursue that goal. To make that meaningful change in your life.
You never feel ready, so you don’t start.
When the task is a formidable one, a challenging one, a meaningful one, you will always feel like a beginner. Afraid to put yourself out there. Afraid to look stupid. Afraid to make mistakes. And afraid to fail.
I didn’t feel ready, doing this. Going online. Putting myself out there.
I felt like an imposter. Totally unprepared.
And yet… I had a plan. I had it all mapped out.
I have education, and experience, and skills, and passion. But I’d never done anything like this before. I was a beginner. I was out of my comfort zone. And I did not feel ready.
I almost gave up, because of that fear. I almost let that completely derail me.
Even if I had more experience, even if I could have guaranteed success before I even started, I wouldn’t have felt ready.
I will never feel ready.
You, YOU, will never feel ready.
Not if the task is challenging enough, or worthwhile enough.
If it scares you, challenges you, and improves you, you will never, ever, feel ready.
So accept it. Let go of that illusion of readiness. It will never come. Even if you are advanced, even if you have all of the skills, you will never feel ready. So let that go.
Instead: see that uncertainty as a gift. A sign that you are making a huge change in your life. A sign that you are taking a risk. Moving out of your comfort zone. Doing something difficult, and worthwhile. A sign that you are seeking greatness.
Learn to live with that discomfort. And take action. One step at a time. And over time, a certain momentum will build. And your confidence will build. And those effects will accumulate. And what once seemed insignificant, and overwhelming, and impossible, will become real, lasting, powerful change.
You can do this.
You don’t feel ready. You WON’T feel ready. You will NEVER feel ready.
But the truth? You don’t NEED to.
What is something you can do TODAY to get started towards achieving your big, scary goal?
Recommended Resources
Check out some of my articles on performance and competition:
- Nervous About Your Belt Test?
- My Dialogue With Fear: Prep for Sparring
- A Powerful Tool to Improve Confidence, Focus & Performance
- Testing for Black Belt in Karate… at Age 45
- Karate Belt Tests, Anxiety and Control
- Sparring Matches, Safety, Opinions, & Entitlement
- Achieving Black Belt in Karate
- Dealing With Defeat at a Karate Tournament
You’re reading Celebrating One Year With The Karate Shrimp by Sabrina Bliem, originally posted on The Karate Shrimp. If you’ve enjoyed this post, be sure to follow The Karate Shrimp on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Leave A Comment