Recently, I’ve been powerfully reminded of what happens when you fully commit to a choice.

As I’ve talked about before, moving forward isn’t: knowing what you want > strategizing about how to make it happen > choosing it.

It’s: knowing what you want > choosing it > then strategizing about how to make it happen.

What I didn’t talk about was what happens after the decision-making and planning.

Because sooner or later you have to follow through on that choice and take action on that strategy. At some point you have to stop planning and start doing.

There’s only so clear and prepared you can get beforehand. You will still have doubts and questions when it’s time to begin.

You won’t feel ready. But you are.

I’m a huge fan of preparation – luck favors the prepared, after all – but it can only take you so far.

The moment will arrive when you have to step inside the container you have crafted for yourself, to start living in the space you’ve built, in order to see your next steps.

And that’s when the magic happens.

What you’re trying so hard to see from the outside but can’t will become obvious once you’re on the inside. What seems blurry and intimidating will become clear and doable – almost effortlessly.

That clarity isn’t available until you take your commitment beyond choosing to doing. Until you go all the way. Until you step inside.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”

–William Hutchinson Murray [ hat tip to Liz for this awesome quote ]

Waiting to feel completely ready, wanting to free of doubts and questions before you take action, is just another manifestation of perfectionism.

Preparation is useful, but you don’t need perfect conditions to do great work.

Need proof? Consider the beauty and genius that has arisen from people in jails and concentration camps. Or the album Rumors, produced when the members of Fleetwood Mac weren’t even on speaking terms.

I’m guessing your imperfect, not-quite-ready-yet conditions are significantly better than that. I’m betting the plan you’ve got right now will do just fine.

Perfectionism serves your fear, not your work. Choose to do the work.

Step in. Step up. Answers and courage are just across the threshold.

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