Page 86 - The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

waiting to feel ready? Waiting for the right time. Waiting to gain confidence. Waiting
to feel like it. Waiting to feel worthy. Waiting until you have more experience.

Sometimes there is no next time, no second chance, or no time out. Stop
waiting. It’s now or never. When you wait, you aren’t procrastinating. You are doing
something more dangerous. You are deliberately convincing yourself “now is not
the time.” You are actively working against your dreams.

Paula could have convinced herself that she would “never qualify” for a great
job opportunity. She would have been very wrong.

I just applied for a job I never thought I would qualify for because I figured, “why not just try it?” I didn’t focus on my
shortcomings but emphasized my qualities and got the job. Previously I would have forgotten about it after 5 seconds and
not even tried by the way ;–)

–Paula

By “emphasizing her qualities” instead of focusing on her shortcomings, Paula
was able to push past her fears and land the job.

You may think you’re protecting yourself from judgment, rejection, or upsetting
someone, but when you make excuses and talk yourself into waiting, you are
limiting your ability to make your dreams come true. I’m amazed by how much time
I’ve wasted in my life waiting for the right time, waiting until I’m sure, waiting until
I think my work is perfect, or waiting until I feel like it.

You may be afraid of finding out that you suck, like my daughter was. Let me
tell you what really sucks: being older and regretting that you never went for it.
Being 30 and realizing you let fear of what your friends thought keep you from ever
really putting yourself out there when you were younger. Friends, by the way, who
you never talk to anymore. Being 56 and realizing you should have divorced your
spouse ten years ago. Being 45 and wishing you had had the courage to take on a
project at work that you now realize would have changed the trajectory of your