How many times have you told yourself:
I just need more clarity.
I’ll wait for the right moment.
I’ll start when I have more confidence/money/time/support.
Only to look up six months later and realize you’re still in the exact same place?
We convince ourselves that we’re “waiting” for the right time, but the truth? We’re stalling.
Change is uncomfortable. Unpredictable. Sometimes terrifying. So instead of moving forward, we construct really convincing stories about why we can’t take action yet.
We tell ourselves lies. And we believe them.
The 5 Biggest Lies We Tell Ourselves About Change
1. "I Need More Clarity Before I Can Start."
Translation: I’m afraid of making the wrong move, so I’ll do nothing instead.
Clarity isn’t a prerequisite for action—it’s the result of action.
Think about the last time you tried something new. You didn’t think your way into understanding it—you figured it out by doing.
Clarity isn’t something you passively wait for; it’s something you create.
Truth: Start messy. Course-correct as you go.
2. "I’ll Feel Ready When It’s Time."
Spoiler alert: You won’t.
Waiting to “feel ready” is like waiting for fear to disappear—it’s not happening.
Confidence doesn’t magically appear before you start. It’s something you build by taking action despite the fear.
Truth: Readiness is a myth. Action is the only way forward.
3. "I Just Need More Time."
Ah, yes. The illusion that “more time” will somehow fix the problem.
Sure, there are legitimate seasons where slowing down makes sense. But if you’ve been saying I need more time for months or years, it’s not about time.
It’s about fear.
Truth: Time isn’t the issue. Your willingness to step into discomfort is.
4. "I Need Everything to Be Perfect First."
Perfectionism is just procrastination in a fancy outfit.
It’s the illusion of progress—rearranging the deck chairs instead of setting sail.
What if “perfect” never happens? Are you willing to stay stuck forever?
Truth: Progress beats perfection. Every time.
5. "I Have to Wait for the Right Circumstances."
We think we need:
✔️ More money
✔️ A better plan
✔️ External validation
✔️ A sign from the universe
But “perfect conditions” are a fantasy. Things will never be 100% ideal, and if you keep waiting for everything to align, you’ll be waiting forever.
Truth: The best time to start is now—with what you have, where you are.
Why We Cling to These Lies
These stories aren’t just random thoughts. They’re protective mechanisms.
Change = Uncertainty.
Uncertainty = Risk.
Risk = Possible failure.
So our brain (trying to keep us “safe”) throws up roadblocks. It convinces us that waiting is smart, that stalling is logical, that maybe—just maybe—we don’t really need to change at all.
And we buy into it.
Because staying in the familiar—even if we’re unhappy—feels safer than stepping into the unknown.
But here’s the thing:
The longer we avoid change, the more we reinforce the idea that we can’t handle it.
Avoidance doesn’t eliminate fear. It feeds it.
How to Move Forward (Even When You’re Scared)
1. Start Before You Feel Ready.
Because readiness is a trap. Start small. Start scared. Just start.
2. Take One (Tiny) Step.
Forget the big master plan. What’s one small action you can take today? Do that. Then the next one. Then the next.
3. Expect Discomfort.
Change isn’t supposed to feel easy. Growth is uncomfortable—lean into it instead of avoiding it.
4. Recognize Fear as a Sign You’re on the Right Path.
Fear doesn’t mean stop. Fear means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone—which is exactly where transformation happens.
What’s Your Excuse?
Be brutally honest with yourself.
What story have you been telling yourself to avoid taking action?
What’s one step you can take today to stop stalling and start moving forward?
Because here’s the truth:
You don’t need more clarity.
You don’t need more time.
You don’t need more confidence.
You just need to start.