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This post has been updated and republished with a focus on mindset and practical action steps.
Read the latest version here:
Smart Money 101: Stop Overthinking, Start Doing – Why Imperfect Action Builds Momentum
Just Start: The Courage to Be a Beginner Will Change Your Life

Don't Wait for Perfection. Just Start.

Have you ever thought to yourself?

"I'll start when I'm fully prepared."

But according to the Harvard Business Review, people with strong perfectionist tendencies are less likely to take action. Why? Because the perfect moment never comes. Successful people all know this—starting, even imperfectly, is the real answer.

"Perfection is the enemy of progress." - William Shakespeare

Forbes reports that 78% of the fastest-growing startup CEOs failed in their first ventures. But they didn’t give up. It wasn’t failure that shaped them—it was taking action.

I was the same way. When I first started my blog, I had no idea how to write or engage my readers. My first blog post? Honestly, I cringe when I read it now. But I kept going with the mindset of “Just start, even if it’s rough.” Over time, my writing improved, and running a blog became fun. If I had waited for the "perfect first post," I probably still wouldn't have started.

What If You Had to Launch a Startup by Monday?

Imagine this: someone walks up to you and says,

"If you don’t launch your startup by Monday, it’s over. Your business model can be a mess—it doesn’t matter."

What would you do? Sit back, binge Netflix, and let stress take over? Or grab a coffee at Starbucks and start putting together an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)?

Most likely, you’d choose the second option. Just start, even if it’s rough. Once you dive in, you'll realize it's not as scary as it seemed. And just like that, change begins.

Failure Isn’t Foolish—It’s Growth

Here’s the reality: whenever you start something new, mistakes are inevitable. Think about trying a new TikTok dance challenge. At first, your moves will be awkward, and your face might turn red from embarrassment. But after a few tries, you start getting the hang of it.

Starting a business? A blog? A new career? At first, you’ll be clumsy. But what really matters is having the courage to begin, even if you’re not great at it. That’s how you learn.

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." - Henry Ford

When I started my blog, I hesitated. "Is this even good enough? Will anyone read this?" But once I published my first posts, I learned from feedback and improved with each one. The mistakes I made helped me refine my skills, and my audience grew.

It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect—Just Start

So, let me ask you this:

What have you been putting off?

Finding a new job?
Launching your blog?
Starting a side business?

Then just start, even if it’s rough.

Most people think about doing things but never act. But if you take even a small step forward, you'll already be ahead of 99% of people.

First blog post? Even if it’s rough, just publish it.
Learning a new skill? Start with a free online course.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned running my blog is this: you don’t have to be perfect—just consistent. Your first post might be a mess, but that’s okay. You have to post it before you can improve.

Conclusion: If You Don’t Start, Nothing Changes

Change doesn’t happen by setting big goals. It happens when you just start.

"Great things are not done by perfection. They are done by beginning." - Leonardo da Vinci

So today, take that step. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start, even if it’s rough. At first, you’ll stumble, but over time, you won’t be a beginner anymore.

Now, it’s your turn.

"What’s something you’ve been postponing? And what’s one small action you can take today to move forward?" Share in the comments!