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You hear the chatter and laughter of children on the playground.

And in the distance, you see a few children line up in a row. They kick their heels in the dirt with anticipation.

As the dust rises, someone calls out, “Ready, set, go!”

And they’re off!

The excitement of the runners and the cheering of the crowd is like a mini-Olympic event. It doesn’t matter that there is no gold medal awaiting them at the finish line. In their minds, they see it, just the same.

But what if the race got stuck on “Ready”?

Everyone lines up in anticipation. The crowd gathers.

Someone calls out, “Ready…ready…ready.”

And that’s it.

Nothing happens.

No one runs.

No one cheers.

Everyone just stands there, dazed, waiting for a “Go!” that never comes.

You would say they are missing the whole point of the game. And you would be right, because the point of the game is to “GO!”

Let’s play this forward to adulthood.

How many “leaders” do you know who are “stuck on ready?”

Have you ever been one of them?

• “I need more information before I can act.”
• “I need permission.”
• “I need to do more research.”
• “I need to know everything before I take action.”
• “I might make a mistake, so I’d better wait.”
• “I need to learn more.”
• “What does this detail mean?”
• “There’s a mistake here. I can’t move forward until it is fixed.”
• “May I take the class again? I might have missed something.”
• “I need to take the test again. I missed one.”
• “I need to understand this completely before I train others.”
• “I need to understand business completely before I take the first step.”
• “Maybe I should go back to school.”
• “I have to be an expert before I can do this.”
• “I don’t have time.”
• “I’m overwhelmed.”
• “I can’t find what I need.”
• “I need to understand the purpose of this before I can do anything.”
• “I’m not good enough.”

These statements are blaring indicators that a person is stuck on ready.

What causes leaders to get stuck on ready?

Getting stuck can stem from both internal and external factors.

• Fear of failure, or, conversely, success
• Fear of taking a risk
• Perfectionism
• Insecurity
• Unresolved voices from the past
• Lack of prioritization
• Lack of organization
• Lack of self-motivation
• Lack of defining the first step
• Lack of responsibility
• Over-analysis

But here’s the thing. In adulthood, there is no person to give the “go” sign. You must learn to be that person, first for yourself and then for others. This is leadership.

How to Overcome the “Stuck on Ready” Syndrome

Embrace failure and success.

The best way to deal with fear is to take action. This may mean running from a real danger or, conversely, running toward a perceived fear in order to overcome it. Are you afraid to fail? Great! Because, the fact is, you will fail, especially when you are trying something new. But you will also learn from each failure. The key is to adjust course and keep pressing forward.

Take calculated risks.

If you fear taking a risk, that likely means you need to take that risk. Overcoming a risk is a great momentum builder. That said, be sure your risks are calculated. Don’t jump out of a plane without a parachute – or start a business if you don’t have at least some reserve.

Release perfectionism.

Save your 110% effort for the things that really matter and accept that some things can be done without the need for perfection. And, in business, “done” can be more important than “perfect.”

Overcome insecurity and challenge the voices.

Insecurity can stem from those unresolved voices in your past or, more often, from those voices in your own mind. Confront them. Question them. Stare them down. And either improve where improvement is needed or move forward and leave those voices behind.

Prioritize.

You won’t succeed if you go in all directions at once. You may accomplish random tasks, but you will not progress toward a goal. This is why it is important to plan and prioritize what matters most and, when distractions come, snap back to that grid. Practice planned procrastination. Yes, some things can – and should – wait.

Create a system.

If you find yourself asking for information over and over again, simply because you can’t find it, this is a lack of organization. Effective leaders have organizational systems that support them. Tailor your organizational style to your strengths but have a system.

Define the first step.

If you are overwhelmed by a big project or goal, break it down until you can identify your very first step. This may be making a phone call or scheduling a meeting. Just one step is enough to get you started.

Practice self-motivation.

Motivation is not waiting for something to move you. Motivation comes when you take action. It creates a positive feedback loop that continues to propel you forward.

Realize you have a responsibility to others.

At some level, people depend upon you. They need you to take action. Take action.

Think, but also act.

Thinking and planning are very important. But if you tend to overthink and over-plan, set a deadline. Allow yourself a set time for research. This will honor your gifting. But also create the runway for accomplishment.

Don’t miss the whole point of the game, which is to “GO!” Go toward your goals. Create impact. Make a difference.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!