The business plan was ready. The market research was done. Everything was perfect.

Yet, I couldn’t click that “launch” button, because I didn't feel “ready enough.”

I call this the “confidence trap” - expecting to feel 100% ready before taking action.

The Confidence Misconception

Here’s what took me too long to learn: Confidence isn’t something you find - it’s something you build.

Confidence is not the prerequisite for action; it’s the product - the result - of our actions.

Think about it this way:

Did you feel confident the first time you rode a bike?

Of course not. You probably felt scared, unsure, maybe even terrified. But what happened after you fell a few times and kept trying?

That’s right - confidence started growing, almost without you noticing.

The Confidence Loop

I’ve spent three decades living the entrepreneurial journey, and I’ve noticed a pattern:

Those who succeed aren’t the ones who wait until they feel ready. They’re the ones who embrace the uncertainty and move forward.

Here’s what happens:

- You take action (even while scared) ​
- You learn from the results (good or bad) ​
- Your understanding grows
- Your confidence increases
- You take bigger actions
- Repeat

It’s a powerful cycle, but it only works if you’re willing to take action before you ever feel ready.

Hector Quintanilla @hqr I like to think of entrepreneurship like a boat. When a boat is stationary, it’s at the mercy of the waves and wind. But once it starts moving, something magical happens - it becomes steerable. Only under movement can the captain gain control. 7:41 PM • Dec 18, 2024 0 Retweets 1 Likes

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The same applies to your entrepreneurial journey.

When we’re static, waiting for confidence to arrive, we’re at the mercy of our fears and doubts.

But once we start moving - taking action, making decisions, learning from mistakes - we gain the ability to steer our destiny.

One of the most extraordinary lessons I’ve learned is the compound effect of small wins.

You don’t need to take massive, life-altering actions.

Start small:

- Make that first sales call
- Write that first blog post
- Reach out to one potential client
- Create a simple prototype

Each small action builds upon the last, creating a foundation of real, earned confidence - not the fragile kind that comes from positive thinking alone.

The Hidden Cost of Waiting

Imagine how many brilliant ideas, innovative solutions, and world-changing businesses are sitting dormant because someone is waiting to "feel" confident enough to start?

The cost of waiting for confidence is not just personal - it’s societal.

Your gifts, talents, and unique perspective are needed in the world.

How can we make the best out of this coming 2025?

Here’s my challenge to you:

1. Identify one action you’ve been postponing expecting to “feel ready”
2. Break it down into the smallest possible steps
3. Take ONE tiny step today... not tomorrow, not next week, TODAY
4. Document what you learn
5. Repeat

Believe me, every successful individual started before they felt 100% ready.

They built their confidence through action, not through waiting.

The next time you find yourself waiting to feel confident, remember this:

Confidence is not the prerequisite for action; confidence is our reward for taking action.

Best wishes for this coming 2025.

Let's make it the year of action!

#BeBusinessSmart