There’s a script most professionals know by heart — though we don’t remember learning it.

It goes something like this:

“Once I have more experience, more time, more qualifications… then I’ll start.”

Start what?

→ That freelance offer
→ That side hustle
→ That income stream we’ve been daydreaming about on the train ride home from work

But the truth no one talks about in those shiny career development workshops?

You don’t get ready before you start making money.
You get ready by doing it.

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Why You’ll Never Feel 100% Ready (and Why That’s Okay)

Confidence doesn’t magically arrive one morning with your coffee.
It’s built through action.

Waiting until you “feel ready” is usually just perfectionism in disguise.
Fear that’s gotten really good at pretending it’s being responsible.

But readiness isn’t a finish line you cross.
It’s a muscle you build as you go.

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Meet Michelle: A Tale of Two Launches

Let’s talk about Michelle (name changed but she’s real).

Michelle spent six months quietly building a digital product on the side of her 9-5 job.

Workbooks, branding, customer journey maps — you name it.

She told me: “I just want to make sure everything’s perfect before I charge anyone.”

Meanwhile, another creator launched a similar offer.
Less polished. Less overthought. Definitely less “ready.”

She made $3,000 in her first weekend.

Michelle?
Still stuck choosing fonts.

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You Don’t Need Perfect. You Need Progress.

The truth is, you don’t need:

• A fancy website
• A logo
• A 12-step launch plan

You need:

• A clear offer
• A way for people to pay you
• The guts to tell someone about it

Your first sale won’t be your biggest.
But it will be your most important — because it moves you from planning into momentum.

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How to Make Money Before You Feel Ready

Here’s how to start monetizing your skills without overthinking yourself into oblivion:

1. Ask: What problem can I solve today?

Think small.
Not “build a business empire.”
Just: What’s one thing I could help someone with right now?

Examples:

→ A 60-minute strategy call
→ A downloadable checklist or guide you already use
→ A simple coaching or consulting offer for a niche you know well

2. Pick the easiest way to deliver it.

You don’t need a full course or a membership site.

Just use what’s accessible:

→ Zoom or Google Meet for 1:1s
→ Canva or Google Docs for downloads
→ Stripe, PayPal or Venmo to collect payment

3. Tell five people.

Yes, seriously. That’s it.

Don’t launch to “the internet.”
Start by sending DMs or emails to five people who might benefit.

No pressure. Just, “Hey, I’m testing something — want to try it?”

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Stop Waiting. Start Testing.

Most people wait until they feel 100% ready.
But overthinkers rarely feel that way.

The people who act at 60%?
They make money.
They gather feedback.
They iterate in real time.

That’s how you build something real — by doing it before it’s perfect.

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Final Thought:

Your “someday” offer is waiting.
Not for the perfect website.
Not for another certificate.

It’s waiting for you to stop waiting.

So ask yourself: What could you offer today — before you feel ready?

Because “done” is always more profitable than “perfect.”