You’ve probably said something like this lately:

“Once things calm down at work, I’ll finally start that business idea.”

“After vacation, I’ll get serious about building another income stream.”

“I just need to get through this season. Then I’ll figure it all out.”

It’s a script a lot of us follow without realizing it.
A polite, well-intentioned way of saying:
“I want something different… but not yet.”

But here’s the quiet thing we aren’t saying out loud:

There’s always going to be a season.
A deadline.
A project.
A family obligation.
A week when your brain just says “nope.”
And while we wait for the dust to settle, life keeps rolling — and so does the status quo.

Why You’ll Never “Feel Ready”

For years, I thought the right time would magically appear.

I imagined a perfect week where my to-do list would clear, my energy would spike and I’d finally have the mental bandwidth to start building something new.

It never happened.

At some point, I had to ask a different question:

What if the right time isn’t coming?

What if we stop waiting for circumstances to change — and start making small moves within the reality we already have?

What to Do Instead of Waiting

You don’t need 10 hours a week.
You don’t need a full business plan.
You don’t need to quit your job.
You just need to make space for one small shift — even if life feels messy.

Here are a few ways to get started this week:

1. Brain Dump Every Idea You’ve Had

Take 10 minutes.
Write down every income idea that’s ever crossed your mind — freelance gigs, product ideas, templates, TikTok side hustles.
Don’t edit. Just get it out of your head.

2. Schedule a Weekly CEO Hour

Block off 30 minutes on your calendar.
Same time, same day every week.
Use it to think about your future — not just survive your present.

This is your time to explore, not execute. No pressure. Just clarity.

3. Explore One Idea Like It’s Real

Pick one.
Then pretend you’re actually going to do it.
Google the logistics. Watch a video. Ask ChatGPT how to start.
See what other people are doing.

Let curiosity lead instead of overwhelm.

4. Say It Out Loud

Tell someone what you’re thinking about — friend, coworker, spouse, dog.
Saying it out loud makes it real. It pulls the dream out of your head and into the world.

5. Make It Official (Kinda)

If you haven’t already, join the Nine-to-Mine email list.

We talk about this stuff every week. Simple, specific ideas to help you build income beyond your paycheck — without burning it all down.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a resignation letter.
You don’t need a brand name.
You don’t even need a clear plan.

You just need to decide that “someday” is no longer your strategy.

Progress starts with one decision to stop waiting.

Even 30 minutes a week adds up.

Even tiny momentum builds confidence.

Let this be the week you make a move.
Even a baby step counts.

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