“Please don’t tell me what to do.”
Those were the words I told my husband Noah when he told me I should run a 5k.
“I’m just not ready!”
My poor husband looked flabbergasted by my reaction. He was simply trying to encourage me.
Looking back on that conversation, I recognize that I was scared.
As part of my Summer of Bravery, I recently decided to start running consistently again. In high school, I was a runner. As an adult, I only run when I have to chase after my Chihuahua, Lolis.
I have three weeks left of training in my 5k training plan, but the 5k I’ve been wanting to run was scheduled for this past Saturday.
Running a 5k before I felt ready felt scary, even reckless.
“What if I hurt myself?”, I thought.
There were many reasons why I didn’t feel ready, including some perplexing hip pain.
But there were many reasons why I should also go for it, even if I didn’t feel ready, like getting to see my parents cheering for me at the finish line.
I couldn’t help but wonder, “What if I run that 5k before I feel ready?”.
I did it! Not feeling ready, I ran the 5k on Saturday!
It was hard at times and also felt amazing. Throughout the run, I kept reminding myself that I can do hard things. I’m ready for so much more than I feel ready for, in my running and in life too.
What are you NOT doing in your life because you don’t yet feel “ready”?
Here are two reasons why you should go after that thing that has been calling to you before you feel truly “ready”:
Feeling “ready” is not a prerequisite. In fact, feeling “ready”, or confident, that you can do something scary is a result of doing that scary thing. The more you do the scary thing, the more “ready” you’ll feel to keep showing up and do it again (I already signed up for my next 5k in July and I have zero doubt that I can run that one stronger and faster!).
You haven’t achieved great things by feeling “ready”. Think about the achievements you’re most proud of in your life (for me, those include launching my business, getting my master’s degree, and moving into a camper). Chances are, those big things scared you. You probably didn’t feel fully “ready”. But you did them. What makes you think you should feel “ready” for your big dreams now?
I thank my amazing husband, Noah, for encouraging me to run the 5k this past weekend.
I didn’t think I was ready and it wasn’t easy, but “ready” and “easy” aren’t the qualities that lead us to do the big, important things.
Go for what scares you today. You can do hard things too 💪!
P.S. Need help to go after what scares you? Work with me:
1:1 coaching: I can help you go after the things you don’t feel “ready” to do. Book a free call to explore working together this month.
Company workshops and speaking: I offer company workshops and conference keynotes on topics related to confidence, team building, equity and inclusion, and negotiation. My latest series is all about navigating change with less fear and more joy. I’ve worked with companies like Accenture, Ecolab, HEI Hotels & Resorts, the University of Minnesota, and others. Get in touch to explore how I can help your team.