Stop Waiting, Start Doing: How Small Actions Create Momentum

A lot of people think change is hard because of the work itself, the habit, the routine, the new behavior they’re trying to build. However, in coaching (and in life), I’ve learned that the hardest part isn’t the actual work, but everything that happens before we start.

The hesitation.The stories we tell ourselves.The internal negotiations.The emotional noise that convinces us we need to feel a certain way first.

Before anyone takes the first step, there are barriers, mental, emotional, and practical, that stop momentum before it even begins.

Here are the ones I see most often…

“I’m not motivated to look for a job, even though I’m worried about a layoff.”

“I’m too busy to invest in my growth, even though I’m not happy where I am.”

“I want to switch careers, but I don’t have clarity yet...maybe if I keep researching, it’ll magically click. “I wish I were more confident, like......(someone else). Once I feel like that, then I’ll finally go for what I want.”

“I want to start my business, but things are chaotic right now… maybe after summer, or after Q4, or after this project.”

If this is you, you’re definitely not alone. My clients say these exact words every week, and I’ve told them myself.

Let’s explore the common traps that keep us from taking action and ultimately keep us stuck.

Common Traps That Keep Us from Taking Action

1. “I need to feel motivated first.”Motivation is unreliable. It spikes, it crashes, and it disappears the moment things get difficult. If action depends on motivation, progress will always be fragile.

2. “I need confidence before I can start.”Confidence doesn’t come first; it comes from doing the thing. Waiting for it is just another way of avoiding discomfort.

3. “I don’t have clarity yet.”This one feels productive, especially for planners, which makes it even more dangerous. Planners often believe they need the perfect plan, the full roadmap, or total certainty before they begin. But clarity isn’t a prerequisite; it’s something that emerges because you take action.

4. The Moving Goalpost Trap looks like “Once I get the promotion… once I lose the weight… once I have more time… once things settle down… then I’ll start.”The truth? The goalpost always moves. There’s always a new reason to wait.

5. The “I’m Busy” Trap. Yes, people are genuinely busy with careers, families, responsibilities, and unexpected life events. But the real question is: busy with what?

Sometimes we fill our days with urgent tasks, low-value work, or distractions… and then wonder why there’s no space for what truly matters. Busyness can become a socially acceptable form of avoidance.

What actually works?

What actually moves people forward isn’t a feeling, it’s a commitment.

• A commitment to take action.

• A commitment to live by the values you say matter.

• A commitment to show up even when you’d rather hide, avoid, or delay.

• A commitment to keep going on the days it’s inconvenient, unglamorous, or uncomfortable.

Commitment is a promise you make to your future self.

Discipline is how you keep that promise.

And action, small, consistent action, is how momentum is built, one step at a time.

Something You Can Do Today

• Identify one area of your life where you’ve been waiting to “feel ready.” Name it honestly.

• Take the very first small step toward it, no matter how tiny. Even sending a message, making an appointment, or going for a short walk counts.

• Write down one clear reason why this change matters to you. Keep it short and simple.

• Tell someone you trust what you’re committed to this week, not for accountability, just to clarify it for yourself.

If you’re reading this and it resonates, let’s talk. I’ll help you stop waiting for motivation, confidence, or the “perfect time” and start creating real momentum in your life or career. Together, we’ll build the habits, structure, and commitment that actually move you forward, even on days when you don’t feel ready.

Let's Talk

Do you want to change the shape of your life? Change the shape of your day. Do you want to change the shape of your day? Change this hour, change what you think. Feel and do at this very moment!!!