How Often Do You Get Stuck in Preparation Mode?

That evasive, in-between state has been a cruel and solemn graveyard for many aspirations, hopes and dreams. Many a brilliant mind has been silenced, never bringing their brillance to the world, even though it was so needed.  When I look at the state of the world today, and of people who had something the world needed them to give who never found the right moment to act, well I just wonder if those missing peices could have us sitting in a better state of affairs. 

You keep yourself busy getting ready for something big, but somehow, you never quite get to the starting line. You dangle the carrot of success in front of yourself, always tantalizingly close but never quite within reach. Does this sound like you?

It has certainly been me.

Over the past 15 months, I’ve been preparing. I’ve been tinkering with DIY-custom building this WordPress site, setting up social media profiles, creating content—only to tear it all down and start again. I’ve learned new skills and discovered fresh platforms, always sharpening my tools…but never using them to carve out the real work. And, oh-the plans I have made, the infrastructure I have built. It’s impressive, if I do say so myself.

For over a year I have told myself that I needed this in place before I could do that. I convinced myself I couldn’t move forward until a checklist of criteria was met – but somehow, despite my best efforts the checklist outpaced itself. The more I learned, the more I decided to include in that pre-requisite to launch checklist.

I couldn’t take the leap because I was waiting for the “perfect moment.” But here’s what I’ve come to realize: That perfect moment is in the imperfection. 

Why Do We Stay Stuck?

At the heart of it, preparation is often just procrastination disguised as productivity. But why do we do it to ourselves?

Perfectionism

We’re convinced that until everything is absolutely right, we’re not “worthy” of success. We fear the possibility of failing and making mistakes, so we keep getting ready for what feels like the right time instead of just taking action. A paradox of push and pull arises, the longer you work to perfect, the more perfection requires – so you work and work yourself to the bone. You get so hungry for what you are working toward but because it isn’t ‘perfect’ – you choose to starve yourself. Your passions morph into poisons. You may develop bitterness, resentment, become neurotic and feel scattered as you work harder and harder to catch up to your evolving idea of perfect. Perfectionism is a real beat down when you’re working on something that holds significance for you.

Fear of the Unknown

Stepping into something new—a business, a creative project, a personal transformation—can be terrifying. The unknown is a place where self-doubt thrives. It’s much safer to stay in the planning stage and avoid the discomfort of change.

Comfort in the Process

Sometimes, we enjoy the build-up more than the outcome. There’s a rush in the learning, tinkering, and fine-tuning. But this can morph into a place where you resist the moment of actually executing—because once you launch, there’s no turning back. After having spent some time in the planning and development stages of things – you might discover you have become really good at it. The thing is, you’re only as good at it as you are because you have invested time and effort into getting good at it. You’ve mastered it, but once you let yourself have the success you’ve been planning for – you’ll get good at it too.

The “I’m Not Qualified” Syndrome

Deep down, many of us feel unqualified or undeserving. So, we stay in preparation mode, hoping that once we’ve learned or achieved enough, we’ll finally be “ready.”

The Perfect Moment, Unmasked

Take a step back from your busy mind for a moment and reflect with me.

If you spend a year perfecting a plan for a small business, a creative endeavor, or any goal or project that has meaning to you – how much closer are you to being in the success of the thing you were planning and building for? You can have stacks of detailed strategies, branding guidelines, and even a projected income sheet—but never gain a single moment of experience. Never advance, never pass GO. Do not collect $200.00.

While you’re busy creating mind maps and concept models for months never-ending, someone else is saying fuck it and taking the leap. Someone else is taking the risks and failing, and getting failure out of the way and succeeding.

While you’re endlessly preparing, you’re missing all the opportunities to learn, grow and build in real time.

No amount of certifications, 10 year projections, marketing strategies or anything else will ever mean a damn thing – if you don’t make a move on it at some point. And if you don’t move on it at some point, you’ll never know the impact it could have had on your life, the impact you could have had on the world.

It’s like getting tickets to freaking Disneyland, holding them in your hands and imagining the joyful day you will have there. Only, the day comes and you choose to keep sitting on the couch, holding the tickets in your hand, imagining (seriously, what are you even doing?).

The idea of the perfect moment to start something shows up in different, creative disguises. Beneath the mask of them all is a Hollywood-ized fantasy that we have been sold to help keep us content to feed on our complacency. The truth of the perfect moment?

It’s the deeply imperfect moment. And in that deeply imperfect moment, the one where you make an irreversible move forward – when you commit to seeing the start of something through…

Well that’s where legends are made.

How to Finally Take the Leap

Let Go of Perfection

It’s easy to convince yourself you need one more tweak or one more piece of information before you’re ready. But perfection is an illusion; your project will never be “done.” It will evolve over time. Start where you are, with what you have.

Break Through the ‘Terror Barrier’

Bob Proctor talks about that fear that grips us when we’re at the edge of something big. The only way through it is through it. Even if you move forward with your eyes closed, keep moving. The first step is always the hardest—but it’s also the most liberating.

Align with What You Truly Want

Pause and ask: Am I preparing for something I actually want, or just something I think I should do? Sometimes, we lose sight of our real desires. Make sure your actions align with your heart’s true goals. This clarity gives you courage to take risks that matter.

Let Go of the ‘Worthy’ and ‘Deserving’ Myths

Many people wait for a magical sign that says, “You’re allowed to succeed now.” Truth is, your worthiness isn’t conditional. It’s inherent. Each step you take—even if it’s wobbly—helps you believe in yourself. You don’t need permission. You already belong here.

Grab the Carrot, Ready or Not

At some point, you have to stop chasing the carrot and just take it. You’ve prepared and learned enough. Now it’s time to trust yourself and grab hold of what you want. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; the moment becomes perfect when you act.

Action Checklist: Move From Preparation to Action

When you’ve finally had enough and you’re tired of circling the runway and ready to take off, try these quick steps:

Set a 24-Hour Micro-Goal

Identify one small action—like a 20 minuet workout, posting a first blog article, or sending your first sales pitch—and commit to finishing it by tomorrow.

List Three Imperfect Actions

Write down three tasks you can do messily this week. No endless revisions allowed—just get them to “good enough.”

Find an Accountability Partner

Ask a friend or colleague to check in on your progress. Share deadlines, and agree on a quick consequence or reward if you hit (or miss) the mark.

Celebrate Wins—Big or Small

Each time you complete an action, acknowledge it. Reward yourself for moving forward, no matter how tiny the step.

Reflect & Adjust

At week’s end, see what worked and what didn’t. Adapt and keep going. Remember, real progress often looks a lot like trial, error, and constant iteration.

The Moment Is Now

15 months I have been building Apex Warriors from behind the scenes. 15 months I have built skills, mapped out and built many many micro systems. 15 months I have been delaying a message I’ve spent my lifetime knowing one day I would need to get out.

And I’m really so excited for some of the things I have lined up for Apex Warriors. One day, I’d like to even see a nationwide Apex Warriors Community Center network. And I may not get that far – but I may get farther too. The thing is – I most certainly will never get anywhere if I don’t move out of preparation and into go mode. And neither will you. 

So start messy. Start uncertain. But start. Because at the end of the day, you’re hungry for more than just preparation. You’re hungry for transformation – and whatever transformation you are hungry for – you can absolutely get yourself a slice of that cake. That transformation begins when you stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and start creating it – not a moment before.

You don’t need everything to be perfectly in place. You just need to move. Action creates momentum, and momentum leads to more action. Do it with your eyes closed if you’re afraid. If you wait for everything to line up perfectly, you’ll be waiting forever. And I am done fucking waiting. If you’re still with me, I hope you are too.

Tell me what you’re ready to make a move on and how you’re gunna move on it in the comments below!