🌴 36. Escaping the Hesitation Station

Today, I want to talk about a concept I shared last year called the "Hesitation Station" - a place we all know too well. It's that metaphorical waiting room where ideas get stuck and potential goes unrealised

Imagine a dark, dreary station with trains coming and going, but you have no idea which direction they're heading. There are no vending machines, everything's running behind schedule. This station can exist for a few minutes, months, or even years. And the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to move.

Why we get stuck

1. Fear of Failure

I've realised that one of the biggest reasons we get stuck is the fear of failure. It's safer to hold back, to not give something a try. We feed our ego by avoiding potential disappointment. But I've learned that it's more painful to not take the risk than to face potential judgment.

2. Over-Planning

We want to plan everything, to make sure outcomes are certain before we even start. But life doesn't work that way. The best insights come when you actually put your ideas out into the world, when you test them beyond your own thoughts.

3. Searching for the Perfect "Why"

I love strategy, but sometimes we overthink it. You don't need to have every single detail figured out. Nothing is permanent. In this digital age, you can put an offer out there, try it out, and learn from the validation you receive.

My personal journey

Take my daily podcast, for example. Two years ago, I met Eddie Quan who inspired this daily content approach. I initially rejected the idea, but here I am now. There's something cathartic about sharing your message daily.

How to Get Off the Hesitation Station

Simple Steps

Socialise your ideas outside of your head
Start small and imperfect
Just give it a go

I recently spoke with my friend Sophia about her idea to start a live stream about football. My advice? Just do it. Even if it's an unlisted YouTube video, the experience of going live changes everything.

Some periods of hesitation are okay. As I discussed with Dr. Maike Neuhaus, sometimes it's good to be in a period of stability, even if it's uncertain. Not every idea needs to be pursued immediately.

What's the simplest way you can start sharing your idea? It's okay if you don't pursue it fully. The important thing is to make your work public, to take that first step.

Remember the quote from Alan Weiss: "We need to stop walking around the block to get next door." How can you jump that fence and leave the Hesitation Station?

I'll be sharing more insights about this throughout the year. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out.

Thanks for listening, and I'll speak to you tomorrow.

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

P.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are three ways I can help: