Why You Will NEVER Feel "Ready" (And What To Do Instead)

By
Hannah Kissel
March 10, 2026
20
min
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About the episode

In this episode, Hannah shares a powerful mindset shift that high performers often struggle with: the myth of feeling "ready." After a major career milestone—becoming a columnist for The Daily Telegraph—Hannah reflects on the idea that confidence, readiness, and clarity rarely come before action. Instead, they are built through action and experience. If you've ever told yourself you'll start the business, make the career move, apply for the opportunity, or take the next step once things calm down or once you feel more confident, this episode is for you. Hannah explores the psychology behind perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the fear of social judgment—along with practical frameworks to help you take action before you feel ready. This conversation is especially valuable for high performers navigating career transitions, entrepreneurship, leadership growth, or major life decisions.

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Key Takeaways

  • Readiness is not a feeling—it's a decision. Waiting to feel ready can keep you stuck indefinitely.
  • Confidence is built through repetition and action, not before it.
  • High performers often delay change by waiting for the "perfect time" that never comes.
  • Fear of embarrassment or judgment can subconsciously prevent you from taking bold steps.
  • Your identity shapes your behavior—who you believe you are determines the risks you're willing to take.
  • Mapping multiple life paths can help you evaluate whether you're optimizing for safety or adventure in your current phase of life.
  • Small experiments and informational conversations can help you test new directions without major risk.

Hi there, I'm Hannah

Executive Coach, podcaster, speaker, writer, and builder of big f*cking Dreams. My mission? To help ambitious professionals build self-acceptance, self-trust in their careers.

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We've gone analog! You can find Hannah Hotline, Hannah's career advice column and podcast, every other Tuesday in The Daily Telegraph, one of Australia's largest newspapers.

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