You’re smart, capable, and full of potential. So why are you still hesitating?
Why hasn’t that next move happened yet?
It’s easy to think the answer is more strategy. A better plan. One more course. But being ready isn’t always about action. Sometimes, it’s about noticing what’s in the way of the action.
Often, what’s blocking us is invisible. It’s a pattern we’ve never questioned. A belief we inherited without realizing it. A voice in our head that sounds helpful but mostly says, “Not yet.”
And while the world tells us to push through or rise above, what we really need is permission to pause and reconnect. Because readiness isn’t about doing more, it’s about aligning with who you already are.
This article is for the leader who’s checking all the boxes but still doesn’t feel aligned. The one who keeps getting tapped for more, without time to ask what they actually want. The one who might already be ready but is buried under busy, burnout, or belief systems that are overdue for a refresh.
If that’s you, here’s a simple way to clear the noise and start moving again. Use The Clarity Compass as a filter, not a formula:
WHY – What truly matters to me in this next season?
Many people step into leadership because they were promoted there. It’s offered, so they take it without ever being asked, “What kind of leader do you want to be?” or “Why do you want to lead?” For some, leadership is just the next step on the ladder. But that’s not always the best reason to say yes.
Your WHY matters because it fuels your efforts. It’s what keeps you grounded when things get messy, political, or exhausting. When you know why leadership matters to you, you lead with more clarity and more staying power. You can stay grounded in the hard moments because your purpose is driving you, not just your position.
WHAT – What’s actually being asked of me right now, and does it match what I want?
This is about making your next moves intentional. Too often, we get swept up in “shoulds.” But if your next move doesn’t align with your WHY, it may not be worth your energy.
Get specific. What are you being asked to lead, influence, or shape? What do you want to say yes to, and what’s just a distraction? Let this be about alignment, not accumulation.
WHO – Who am I becoming, and who am I being influenced by?
We don’t lead in isolation. Who surrounds you matters.
The right “WHO” are the people who lift you up and speak truth even when it’s hard to hear. They help you level up in a way that’s both bold and sustainable. They don’t push you beyond your limits; they remind you of your capacity.
If you feel alone or unsupported, it’s not a reflection of your readiness. It may be a reflection of your environment. Who has earned the right to influence your path?
HOW – What is the plan for getting from where I am to where I want to go?
This is where intention turns into action. Your HOW is the plan – the roadmap, the process, the structure. But it has to be one that reflects who you are, not just what others expect.
Your HOW isn’t about hustle. It’s about honesty. What will move you forward in a way that’s sustainable, manageable, and grounded in your values? This is your opportunity to design a plan that stretches you without pulling you off course.
What does a sustainable, manageable, values-aligned path forward look like for you? Your HOW should help you grow without losing your center.
And remember: a path isn’t always a five-year plan. Sometimes it’s simply knowing what comes next, and being willing to keep checking in along the way.
NOW – What’s one small move I can make that reflects my real clarity; not someone else’s version of readiness?
This is where intention turns into momentum. Your NOW is the smallest meaningful step that brings your clarity into motion, and within 48 hours.
One powerful tool I share with clients is called The Power of Three. It’s simple. Every day, take three small actions that move you closer to your long-term goal. They can be micro-movements; ordering a book, scheduling a coffee with a mentor, researching a certification, bookmarking an article. Tiny things. Consistently done.
Three clear moves a day might not look like much, but they build real momentum. You’ll look up in three months and realize you’ve created a runway toward exactly what you want.
You don’t need to overhaul your whole life. You just need to name what’s in the way. Once you see it, you get your power back. And your next step almost always reveals itself.
Your Next Clear Move™:
Ask yourself: What story am I believing that no longer serves me and is preventing me from stepping into my next level of growth?
Then choose one place, just one, where you’ll make decisions as you authentically are, instead of with the mask on, this week.
And if you’re still unsure? That’s okay. Readiness rarely feels like confidence. But if you’re paying attention, if you care, if you’re curious…you’re closer than you think.
If your team is full of capable people who don’t feel ready, but absolutely are, let’s talk.
The Readiness Reset™ keynote and Readiness Labs are designed to help leaders reconnect to their own clarity, alignment, and capacity.
Because when leaders stop waiting and start aligning, everything changes.
Contact Debbie to bring this work to your organization.
