Navigating Uncertainty: How I’m Finding My Path and How You Can Too
Have you ever wanted to create something but felt paralyzed at the start? That’s where I’m at right now. I have the skills—I can build websites, mobile apps, and I’m deeply into fitness—but when it comes to documenting that process, or sharing my journey, I freeze. I want to create content that isn’t just another tutorial because that’s not my style. I’d rather share the raw journey of building a business or mastering a craft. The problem is, I keep waiting for the perfect time to start, but when is that? Yesterday was probably already too late.
To move forward, I realized that asking myself the right questions is key. If you’re facing a similar challenge, these are the questions that helped me get clarity—and they might help you too.
1. What Are Your Core Strengths?
The first question I had to ask myself was: What am I really good at? For me, it’s a mix of technical development skills and fitness. I’m confident in my abilities as a developer, knowing that my skills in building websites and mobile apps are in the top 0.1% of my age group. Fitness is another area where I feel I’m in the upper echelon compared to my peers.
Recognizing these strengths is important because it serves as a foundation for the kind of content or business you can create. The things you’re naturally good at can become the pillars of your unique voice and platform.
Ask yourself: What are you great at? What skills or abilities make you stand out?
2. What Do You Enjoy the Most?
Once you’ve identified your strengths, the next question is: What do I enjoy doing? It’s possible to be good at something without loving it, but to build something sustainable, you need to find that overlap between skill and passion.
For me, the joy comes from building products and engaging with fitness. I could easily lose myself in coding a new app or discussing the perfect workout routine. I don’t just want to make tutorials about how to code; I want to share the experience of creating something meaningful and the lessons I learn along the way.
Ask yourself: What activities do you enjoy so much that they don’t feel like work? What excites you enough that you want to share it with others?
3. What’s Stopping You from Starting?
This is the part where I hit a wall. I often think, I’ll start when things get better or when I have the perfect plan. But I’ve come to realize that the perfect time will never arrive. The hesitation often comes from fear—fear of failure, fear of not being perfect, fear of putting myself out there and not succeeding.
To break through this, I started small. Watching YouTube videos or reading books like Show Your Work by Austin Kleon helped me understand that creating is messy, and that’s okay. The process of documenting or sharing your work is imperfect by nature, and that’s where the authenticity lies.
Ask yourself: What’s really holding you back? Is it fear of imperfection, or are you waiting for external validation?
4. Who Is Your Audience?
When it comes to creating content, knowing your audience is key. I find myself wondering what kind of content I should post on platforms like Instagram. Should I focus on my business ventures, or should I share my fitness journey? I love both, but knowing what resonates with my audience is crucial.
You might have multiple interests, but your audience might only connect with one or two of them. For example, I could create a tutorial on how to efficiently write a book using voice memos and transcription tools, but I’m not sure if that’s what my audience wants. However, fitness and business growth might be more relatable topics for the people following me.
Ask yourself: Who are you creating for? What do they want to see from you that aligns with your expertise and passion?
5. What’s One Small Thing You Can Do Today?
The most important question I’ve asked myself is: What’s one small step I can take today? I realized that waiting for the perfect moment would only keep me stuck. So, I started documenting small parts of my journey—whether it’s sharing insights from my coding projects or posting snippets of my fitness routine.
Even if it’s not perfect, even if it feels too small, it’s progress. Momentum comes from action, no matter how small that action may be.
Ask yourself: What’s one small, actionable step you can take today to move forward? It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be something.
Reflection: Moving Forward from Paralysis
If you’re in a similar position, feeling stuck between wanting to create and not knowing how to start, here’s a summary of how I’m navigating this and how you can too:
- Identify Your Strengths – Know what you’re good at, and use that as the foundation for your content or business.
- Find What You Enjoy – Align your strengths with what you’re passionate about. This is the sweet spot for sustainable success.
- Confront Your Fears – Acknowledge what’s holding you back, whether it’s fear of failure or perfectionism, and remind yourself that there’s no perfect time to begin.
- Know Your Audience – Understand who you’re speaking to and what they want to see from you. Tailor your content to your audience’s interests.
- Take Action Today – Start small. Even the smallest step forward is progress, and it builds momentum over time.
Conclusion: My Advice to You
The most important takeaway here is that starting now is the key. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—they don’t exist. Whether you’re building a business, documenting your fitness journey, or just trying to figure out what to share with the world, the only way forward is through action. You’ll refine your approach as you go, but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t start.
Remember, it’s a journey, and figuring it out is part of the process. By asking yourself the right questions and taking small steps, you can find your path and start moving forward in life.
