There are times when we feel we should take action, but feel stuck or unsure. Action does assist with moving forward, but the first question to ask is "Am I ready?". We might be willing and able, but if we are not ready we will have a false start. We will sabotage ourselves.

Being ready is about commitment. Being ready is also a mindset. At times we have to be pretty fed up before we are really ready to make a change. A friend recently quit her job after months of being miserable. She was willing and able, but for some reason she could not let go of what she called "the job from hell." The last straw for her was being demoted and having her salary cut. This action by the company moved her to being ready. As humans we can put up with a whole lot. We tolerate and tolerate until finally we are pushed to the point of being ready.

It does seem pretty common that becoming ready often happens after we are totally fed up. There is a way to become ready without being pushed over the edge. One question I like to ask myself is "What is the worst thing that can happen?". Once I have the answer, the next question is "And can I live with that?". If the answer is yes, then chances are you are ready to make your move. If you are still not sure - begin seeking other options. Keep working on those two questions until you come up with a solution that you can live with.

Being ready is a state of mind. You have to be ready right down to the fibers of your bones or it won't work. When you are ready, your commitment level will be 100%. If you are not ready, your commitment level will be much less, and whatever actions you take will not be sufficient to create what you want.

Give yourself a break. If you are not ready, don't beat yourself up over it. Take a few steps back and ask yourself, "What am I ready to do?". Taking small steps can often help us get up the courage to take the big leap. There are times when any action is better than none at all. Start from where you are and keep focused and moving forward. Getting ready is a process; so don't rush it. There are occasions when it takes time to work up to the point where you can take the leap.