There was a time when I believed I couldn’t move forward until I had the perfect plan — the ideal idea, the clear vision, the ten steps mapped out with bulletproof certainty.
But that moment never came. There was no big Eureka. No lightning bolt of clarity.
What I eventually realized is that clarity doesn’t show up at the start of the journey. It meets you along the way. What got me unstuck wasn’t some grand vision. It was a simple, honest decision: to start moving, even without a map.
From C-Suite to Staring at the Ceiling
Not long ago, I went from leading strategy and making big decisions in a C-suite role to sitting in my living room, unemployed and completely unanchored.
I thought I’d feel relief. Freedom. Room to breathe. Instead, I felt panic. I felt a total loss of identity. The silence was loud, and the uncertainty was overwhelming.
There was no boss, no paycheck, and no clear next step. But deep down, I knew I didn’t want to just find another job and plug back into the same kind of life. I wanted to build something aligned with my values and energy — something that felt like me.
So I started small.
I focused on myself, both mentally and physically. I spent time mapping out my values. I watched motivational videos and read books that helped shift my mindset. But at first, I also felt a lot of pressure. I told myself that whatever I started had to be amazing — and it could not fail.
That thinking kept me stuck for a while.
Eventually, I gave myself permission to step back. I realized I didn’t need to get it all right on the first try. I just needed to start. Even if I failed, I’d learn something. Each misstep would teach me what worked — and what didn’t.
Each step was small and uncomfortable, but they began to build on each other. Bit by bit, I found momentum — not because I had certainty, but because I was finally in motion.
That’s the part people rarely say out loud: clarity comes after you start, not before.
What I’ve Learned
You don’t have to be ready. You just have to be willing.
You can refine as you go — pivot, evolve, and adjust while in motion.
Clarity often shows up as confidence, earned through small experiments and imperfect action.
If you’re waiting for the right time, it’s probably now.
If you’re waiting for permission, this is it.
You won’t figure everything out in advance. But starting is what makes clarity possible.
What’s one small step you’ve been avoiding because it doesn’t feel “clear enough” yet?
I’d love to hear in the comments. Or just say it to yourself — and go take it.
And if you need help making that move, I’m right here with you.