The moment you say yes, you’re ready.

At least, that’s the story we’ve been told.

But what does ready actually mean?

• Ready to scale?
• Ready to solve the problem?
• Ready to take the next big risk?

Most of us were raised on a traditional picture of readiness:

• Preparation as proof — degrees, certifications, the “right” capital or team.
• Timing as perfection — waiting for the market to align or the plan to be airtight.
• Confidence as certainty — believing that every doubt must be resolved before the first move.

It sounds responsible.

It also keeps a lot of brilliance stuck at the starting line.

The Myth of Traditional Readiness

Traditional readiness is about control. It’s a checklist that implies: when everything is in place, then you can begin. But alignment work shows that the “all set” moment rarely arrives.

• Markets shift mid-plan.
• Teams evolve in real time.
• Personal energy ebbs and flows.

If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll still be waiting when the opportunity passes.

What Readiness Really Feels Like

Readiness is not the absence of doubt. It’s a state of being prepared and willing to act—a mix of capability, confidence, and courage.

It often feels subtle and alive:

• A quiet nudge — a persistent inner voice urging you to say yes, raise your hand, or ask the question, even if you’re a little scared.
• A signal of change — a deep fatigue with performing or living inside a version of yourself that no longer fits.
• An inner resource — a sense of connection to something deeper than mental chatter; a steadiness you can trust.

You may expect calm clarity. Instead, you might feel a tingle of nerves and the awareness that “this might be me.”

What Readiness Looks Like in Action

Aligned readiness isn’t about waiting. It’s about moving with clarity of direction and the capacity to respond as reality unfolds.

• A foundation of capability — you have the skills and strengths to meet what’s next.
• A focus on small steps — you identify and take the next tiny action instead of perfecting a master plan.
• Internal cues — you notice signals like sharpened attention or a sudden lift of energy.
• An active stance — you experiment, listen for feedback, adjust, and keep moving.

It’s less about proving readiness and more about owning your ability to begin.

How to Gauge Your Own Readiness

• Listen for the nudge. Pay attention to subtle inner signals that say now.
• Identify the signs. Are you tired of performing? Is the old identity wearing thin?
• Take a small action. One meaningful step will reveal more than another week of analysis.
• Trust your feelings. If this resonates, you’re likely more ready than you think.

Strategic Reflection Prompt

Where are you still “getting ready” when you could already be ready?
What one decision—if made today—would move you from preparation to action?

About Giselle

Giselle Hudson is a writer, possibility thinker, speaker, Strategic Alignment Facilitator™, and MCODE Legacy Coach. She helps solo professionals, non and for profit organizations identify where focus and learning need to occur to stay aligned and achieve real results — all beginning with The One Question Every Business Must Answer™.