When you're standing on the edge of something new, this could look like starting your own business or stepping into a new chapter of life, it can be hard to tell whether what you’re feeling is fear… or simply not being ready.
It’s a question I often explore with professionals who’ve been successful in their careers, but find themselves sensing that it’s time for something more aligned, more purposeful, more theirs. They say things like, “what if I’m not ready?”, “what if I fail?”, “what if I lose what I’ve built?”. Underneath those questions lies a deeper one, “is it fear holding me back or a genuine sign I’m not ready yet?”
It’s important to understand that fear is a natural part of any transition. Especially when you're letting go of a long-held identity or leaving the comfort of what you know. Fear often will say to us things like, “stay safe”, “stay put”, “don’t risk it”, and so on.
My perspective is that fear and readiness are not opposites. You can be afraid and ready at the same time. Think of a toddler learning to walk, they start with using objects to stand up, then they let go for a split second, eventually for a little longer, then go on to take one step that ultimately becomes many steps and before long they are walking. Similarly, people don’t feel ready until they’ve already begun. Because readiness isn’t something you wait for, t’s something you build through action. You start small. You make decisions with intention. Clarity is then created as you move. And with each step, your confidence grows.
If you're unsure whether what you're feeling is fear or a lack of readiness, ask yourself the following: -
- Am I afraid of the unknown or truly unprepared? Sometimes we mistake fear of uncertainty for unreadiness. But uncertainty is part of every worthwhile journey.
- Do I lack clarity or am I avoiding commitment? Often, we wait for things to be certain before we act. But clarity usually comes through exploration, not perfection.
- Is there a part of me that already knows it's time? If there’s a quiet knowing inside you, an inner nudge that keeps coming back that you’re more ready than you think.
We need to challenge fear. Because it can become the very thing that keeps us stuck in a life that no longer fits. Recognise fear’s voice but don’t give it the final say, name the fear and then choose to move forward with wisdom and courage.
If you’re in that in-between space, where you feel the pull to something new but aren’t sure whether it’s time, know that you’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’re just in a season of redefinition. A season you don’t have to navigate it on your own.
