The Pressure to Have Everything Figured Out

We often are so focused on getting things just right that we can forget about getting started. There’s this pressure to have everything figured out before we even begin, whether it’s starting on a new project, making a career change, or adjusting the company’s marketing strategy. But the idea of having everything figured out is a myth and often a harmful deterrent. No matter how much we plan ahead, something will inevitably come up that we didn’t account for, but that’s not a reason to hold off on taking action. 

Most of the time, we do not need to take one big leap; rather, we need to take small, consistent steps to help move us forward. Even when we’re unsure of the outcome, hesitant action is still better than no action at all. We learn and adapt as we go, and mistakes and obstacles only make us stronger and more resilient as a team. We need to stop seeing this as a negative thing and start recognizing the value in these new experiences. Even if the lesson is in what not to do, we are still learning, and learning leads to growth.

While some people may have more business experience than others, we are all trying our best to be successful. We cannot compare our own journey to that of someone five years ahead of us in the industry. They can offer valuable insights, but we must take initiative, try new things, make adjustments, and overcome setbacks in order to advance in our own careers. Watching and learning from others does not excuse us from putting in the time and effort to get us where we want to be, and sometimes that means figuring things out as we go.

Nothing is more valuable than experience because it provides us with the practical knowledge to continuously improve. The more we repeat a task, the easier it becomes. The more we advertise our product or service, the more insight we gain on the market. The more we speak in front of others, the more confident we become in our own abilities. The list goes on; experience leads to competence, and competence gains us trust.

Don’t let the belief that you must have everything figured out stop you from trying something new. We cannot see into the future to know the exact outcome we will reach, but we can make informed decisions based on what we learn throughout the process of trying. Even though we may not get it right the first time, if we stay committed to learning, then a breakthrough is inevitable. The most successful people take action even in the face of uncertainty.

-Meghan Slaughter