Don’t Wait To Do the Things That You Love
Like most people, you probably have some knowledge of the superhero genre. You know that every superhero is blessed with some unique gift or special power. But they don’t start out as experts. They discover their abilities by using them, often awkwardly, sometimes unsuccessfully, and always before they feel ready.
Superman is super strong, super fast, and he can fly. Spiderman has all the skills, agility, instincts, and abilities of a spider. For us humans, our “superpowers” look a little different. They are developed gradually, strengthened through repetition, and refined through real-world practice.
For many teens and young adults, and often their parents watching from the sidelines, turning knowledge into action feels intimidating. Even when they understand their strengths, the idea of not being an “expert yet” can hold them back. The fear of getting it wrong often prevents them from getting started at all.
Knowledge and Skill
In his book The 33 Laws of Business and Life, Steven Barlett talks about five “buckets” that relate to long-term success. He explains that the order in which these buckets are filled is very important. The buckets are knowledge, skill, reputation, network, and wealth.
The first key takeaway from this analogy is this: Knowledge and skill come first.
The reason why knowledge and skill come first is that they form the foundation of long-term success, and, unlike the other buckets, they cannot be taken away from you.
When you are young, you have an enormous opportunity to build knowledge and develop skills before life becomes more demanding and responsibilities begin to stack up. At FutureScope, we focus on helping young people identify the areas they want to grow in, gain clarity around their goals, and create structured plans that turn ideas into action.
We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: This process starts in the mind. The real work, however begins when ideas are written down and consistently put into practice.
The Courage to Start: My Story
Identify one thing that you have some knowledge about and are brave enough to do … and do it.
At 40+ years of age, I’m comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. In fact, I genuinely enjoy it. But this was not always the case.
I remember being asked to speak at a friend’s wedding during my second year at university. The thought of using my creativity, sense of humour, and writing skills made the task appealing. There was, however, only one major problem … and I’m sure you can see where this is going.
“Every superhero is blessed with some unique gift or special power. But they don’t start out as experts.”
I was incredibly uncomfortable on stage, standing in front of a room full of people with a microphone in my hand.
What was I to do? I couldn’t say no to my friend, and I couldn’t not go to the wedding. I wanted to celebrate this important moment, and deep down, I actually wanted to speak.
So I used the resources available to me: my critical thinking and my community. I asked a close friend, who was a confident speaker and knew the groom well, to join me. Of course, he said yes.
We had a great time writing the speech together, and the delivery was incredibly well-received. We “danced” around the stage, riffing off one another, sharing stories, anecdotes, and jokes, and genuinely enjoying the experience.
That moment taught me a few important lessons:
- I don’t back out of things simply because they scare me.
- I can use my critical thinking, resources, and community to support me where I lack confidence.
- I actually enjoy public speaking when I allow myself to practise it.
Because of that experience, and others like it, I became determined to find ways to do things independently. By being bold enough to face my fear and do something I knew, deep down, I could be good at, I developed both the skills and the coping mechanisms that continue to support me today.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to begin before you feel perfectly ready.
Facing the Demon: Conquering Imposter Syndrome
There is knowledge, and then there is doing. And these are very different things.
We go to school and university and fill our heads with theories and facts, but when it comes time to put them into action, it can trigger intense feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. This is often where imposter syndrome shows up.
You are qualified. You’ve earned the opportunity. And you land a good job. Yet you’re convinced the bubble is about to burst and everyone will soon discover that you’re a fraud.
Except that isn’t true.
It’s simply a story you’re telling yourself, and it deserves to be questioned.
Flip the Script
The first step is to take those negative thoughts and flip the script:
“I am a fraud and I don’t know what I’m doing. This company should not have employed me. I should not have been given this responsibility.”
It becomes: “I am qualified and well trained, and this organization saw potential in me when they offered me this responsibility.”
Writing this down and reading it aloud is a simple but effective way to rewire thinking. It builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and supports healthier internal dialogue.
“I’m comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. In fact, I genuinely enjoy it. But this was not always the case.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to begin before you feel perfectly ready.”
Progress Over Perfection
You may have heard it said, and it’s true, comparison is the thief of joy. Nowhere is this more evident than at the beginning of a career or learning journey.
Your path is unique. Your growth will take time. Be kind to yourself and celebrate the small wins. Progress should be measured against who you were yesterday, not against others.
In workplaces, organisations, or start-ups, you will naturally encounter people with more experience than you. Rather than seeing them as threats, they can become valuable resources. Finding a mentor you respect and trust can accelerate learning and strengthen confidence.
Growth is not linear. It is messy, unpredictable, and built through small, consistent steps.
Unlike superheroes, we mortals have to earn our powers through action. We grow by being courageous, surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us, challenging our self-defeating thoughts, and practising the skills we wish we were already good at.
The sooner you start, even if you feel unprepared, the sooner your confidence begins to grow.
Don’t wait to be ready. Start today!
Don’t wait for the right moment. Start today!