When “Not Ready” Is Just a Story
A few weeks ago I spoke with a woman who had been circling the idea of starting her own business for years. She’d read the books, joined the webinars, even filled a notebook with potential offerings. But when the conversation turned to actually taking the leap, her words came quickly: “I’m just not ready yet.”
That phrase is everywhere.
I’m not ready to start coaching.
I’m not ready to take that new role.
I’m not ready to start a business.
I’m not ready to have that conversation.
On the surface, it sounds wise—responsible even. But often, “not ready” is just another way of saying “I’m not willing.”
Readiness vs. Willingness
Readiness implies preparation: the right timing, resources, clarity, or confidence. Willingness is simpler: stepping forward anyway, without the full map.
The irony? In most meaningful pursuits, you can’t actually prepare in advance. The act of beginning is the preparation. Which means “not ready” usually translates to “I don’t want to feel the discomfort of starting.”
The Social Safety Net of “Not Ready”
Here’s the trap: society gives us a free pass on this. Just like people chuckle and nod when someone says, “I’m terrible at remembering names,” we nod along at “I’m not ready.”
Friends, family, and colleagues will encourage you to wait, to protect yourself, to stay safe. And that agreement feels comforting. But it also gives cover for staying small.
What rarely gets asked is:
What exactly do you believe you need in order to be ready?
Do you know how to prepare—or is that unclear too?
Could “not ready” simply be a story to avoid stepping into something greater?
The Truth Behind “Not Ready”
The feelings that fuel “not ready”—fear, insecurity, self-doubt—are elastic. They change by the day depending on sleep, stress, diet, or circumstance. If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll wait forever.
Willingness, on the other hand, is always available. It’s the one lever that doesn’t require special conditions.
The Invitation
The next time you hear yourself saying “I’m not ready,” pause. Ask: Am I actually unprepared—or just unwilling?
Because if what you want is expansion, growth, and possibility, readiness isn’t the gate. Willingness is.
