For the longest time, I thought confidence had to come first.

Once I felt confident, I?d act. Once I felt sure, I?d decide. Sounded smart at the time. Responsible even. Truth is, it gave me a real nice excuse to sit on my hands.

Looking back, I wasn?t being thoughtful. I was scared. I told myself I was ?waiting for clarity,? but what I really wanted was a guarantee. No risk, no stumble, no wrong turn. Just certainty wrapped in a bow.

But life doesn?t work like that.

Waiting Feels Safe?Until It Wastes You

There?s a fine line between being careful and being stuck. I crossed it more than once. Told myself I needed more time, more info, more signs. What I needed was to take some damn ownership.

Here?s what I know now: clarity doesn?t show up before the decision. It shows up after you take the first step.

The Marines Didn?t Wait for My Confidence

I didn?t feel confident when I joined the Marines. I felt desperate. The life I was living wasn?t cutting it, and I knew staying put would break me faster than boot camp ever could.

I walked into that recruiter?s office not because I felt strong but because I was tired of feeling worthless. I didn?t know what came next. I just knew I had to move.

Clarity didn?t come from thinking. It came from showing up. From taking hits. From taking responsibility when things went sideways?and they did.

Confidence? That came later.

Why Leaders Get Stuck

I?ve watched good people stall for years. Smart folks. Capable as hell. But they stayed frozen, waiting for some magical feeling called ?ready.?

Leadership ain?t about being sure. It?s about being responsible. That means moving forward even when your stomach?s tight and your brain?s full of static.

You don?t need all the answers. But you do need to go first.

Start With What?s Right in Front of You

Clarity doesn?t come from a perfect plan. It comes from one honest decision.

Ask yourself, what?s mine to own today? Not forever. Just right now.

You don?t have to feel confident. You just have to move.

Here?s the order most folks get wrong:

• First comes responsibility.
• Then comes action.
• Clarity shows up along the way.
• Confidence tags along later.

Flip that order, and you?ll wait forever. Get it right, and you?ll change your life.

That?s how it worked for me. And it?s probably how it?ll work for you, too.

Pay attention to what you've been waiting on. That's probably where to start.