Putting yourself out there

Sometimes, you just need to put yourself out there. I know this—I coach others on it all the time. Yet, I’ll admit that I’ve often found myself stuck in the gap between knowing and doing.

A strong perfectionist streak can hold me back from sharing ideas until I’ve had time to fully develop them. But here’s the problem: sitting on those ideas means opportunities can pass by while I’m still untangling the details.

Over the years, I’ve realised that waiting for perfection not only slows progress but also limits capacity. When we hold back, we miss out on learning from others, refining our ideas through collaboration, and moving closer to the outcomes that matter.

So, I’ve started challenging myself to shift my approach. Instead of polishing every idea to perfection, I’ve embraced the concept of "publishing" drafts—sharing my thinking while it’s still in progress and inviting others to help shape it.

It’s not always comfortable, but it’s a powerful way to create capacity. It frees up mental energy by letting go of the endless pursuit of perfection, opens doors to collaboration, and accelerates progress toward clarity and impact.

If you’re wrestling with perfectionism, consider this: progress isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It’s about taking steps forward, learning, and iterating as you go.

This is a mindset we explore at my retreats—Queenstown: Clear, Calm, and Connected and Byron: Relax, Recharge, Reset, and Refocus. Both retreats create space to step back, reflect on what’s holding you back, and focus on moving forward with purpose and confidence. 

Expand your perspective by experimenting a little.

Perfection is a myth, but progress is real—and it’s where capacity is built.

How are you putting yourself out there?