CEO-ish: Why You Don’t Need It All Figured Out to Succeed
Let me tell you about the time I sat in front of my laptop, staring at a fancy spreadsheet filled with formulas, pretending I knew what “cash flow projections” meant. Spoiler: I did not. At one point, I may have whispered to myself, “Is negative cash flow… like a state of mind?” Fun fact: no one showed up to fix it for me. I had to figure it out the messy way — by taking action, making mistakes, and realizing that Google is, in fact, a business partner.
And guess what? I survived. Actually, I did more than survive. My business moved forward even though I didn’t have all the answers.
The Myth of Having It “All Figured Out”
We love the idea of the perfectly polished CEO who always knows the next step, has color-coded strategies, and never second-guesses themselves. Cute story. In reality? Every business owner has moments where they’re winging it harder than a middle-schooler at their first dance.
The truth is: uncertainty is not a bug in business — it’s a feature.
The market changes.
Clients surprise you.
Your “perfect plan” implodes in about 72 hours.
So if you’re waiting to feel fully confident before you take the leap? You’ll be waiting forever.
Why Action Beats Perfection
Perfection is basically procrastination in high heels. Taking action — even imperfect action — gives you feedback. Feedback gives you clarity. And clarity is what actually builds confidence.
Think about it: have you ever felt more confident just thinking about doing something? Nope. Confidence comes after the messy first attempt, not before it.
A Simple Framework for Moving Forward
When you’re stuck in “I have no idea what I’m doing” land, try this:
1. Define the Next Micro-Step.
Not the 5-year plan. Just the next tiny, doable action. (Send the email. Make the call. Sketch the outline.)
2. Give It a Deadline.
Without one, your micro-step will just sit there collecting dust.
3. Review & Adjust.
After you act, pause and ask: What did I learn? What’s next?
Spoiler: this loop is how businesses actually grow — not from flawless plans, but from repeated, imperfect experiments.
The CEO-ish Takeaway
You don’t need to be “fully ready” or “100% sure” before you move. You just need to be willing to start, screw up a little, and keep going.
That’s what makes you a CEO-ish: not perfect, not all-knowing, but brave enough to take the next step anyway.
So next time you’re staring at a blank spreadsheet, just remember: progress loves messy. And yoga is still more fun without the negative cash flow.
👉 Want more imperfect-but-powerful strategies? Check out my coaching packages — because being CEO-ish is more than enough to build the business you want.
