7 Signs You’re Ready For Change Even If You Don’t Feel Like It

What does ready look like to you?

If you’ve been wondering how to know if you’re ready for change, or why you keep waiting to feel confident before starting something new read on.

In my coach training, I was taught about the be-do-have model. Stephen Covey also covered this in his highly successful book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Most of us are waiting.  Waiting for a very specific feeling before we leap into something new.   

We often think we need to have something, before we can do something and this is often a lie.  

We wait around until we feel 'ready'.  When in reality, we sometimes expect readiness to feel like the clouds parting, a choir of angels singing, and a sudden, undeniable surge of ‘I HAVE TO DO THIS NOW!’ coursing through our veins.  Leading the charge on to our goals and dreams. 

And we often expect that feeling to last forever (story for another day!).

But let's focus on starting.

Starting can sometimes be the hardest part.  

We’re waiting to feel ready. And by ready, we usually mean…

Confident.  Though readiness and confidence are not the same thing. If you are waiting to feel 100% fearless before you start that business, leave that relationship, or book that healing session, you'll be waiting until the cows come home.

Readiness rarely feels comfortable, as you are stepping out into the unknown. 

It doesn’t mean you feel equipped as there may be things to learn or obtain. 

And it certainly doesn’t mean you suddenly feel worthy, because you already are, but just might not believe it.

I want to help you spot some of the signs that you may be more ready than you think.

Readiness isn't about safety

Let me clarify.

“What does ‘being ready’ mean to you? Your definition, not mine.”

Maybe you're thinking 'Once I'm ready, I won't be scared',  I'll know I'm ready when everything is clear', 'I'll be ready when I have... more time, more money, more skill'

Write them down.

Now ask yourself, are they really true?  Are they loving?  Are they stopping you from being where you want to be?

What was the answer? Let me know below.

Your subconscious mind is wired to keep you safe, which means it loves familiarity. Even if your current situation is making you miserabl,e as we humans tend to have a high tolerance for this type of BS.

And you might be thinking, but Faye, it's true.  "I really can't because...."  But what if there was no 'because'?  

What would you have to feel in order to be 'ready' to take the first action step you are putting off right now?

Change, by definition, is unfamiliar. So, your brain is going to throw up resistance, fear, and doubt. That doesn't mean you aren't ready. It just means you're human and you may need some support to work through it and that's OK.

7 Subtle Signs You’re Ready for Change

If we can't rely on feeling "confident" etc as our green light, what should we look for? Here are some subtle, often overlooked signs that your soul is ready to shift, even if your brain is freaking the F out.

• You're Bored of Your Own Story: You catch yourself complaining about the same things over and over to your friends. Even you're bored of hearing it. You roll your eyes at your own excuses and maybe cringe a little when you catch yourself telling them the same story for the 50th time.
• The "Comfort Zone" Feels Uncomfortable: You feel a little suffocated and maybe a bit antsy.  You know you are ready for more and staying the same has started to hurt more than the scary idea of changing and doing the work.  You're talking more about not 'being ready.'
• You're Jealous (in a specific way): You see someone living the life you want or doing the work you want to do, and instead of just scrolling past, you feel a sharp pang of envy. Whilst I don't advocate comparison and judging yourself against 'other's highlight reels'.  That envy you feel.  It isn't a bad thing to be ashamed of and it doesn't have to keep you stuck.  But it is data. It's showing you what you want deep down even if you daredn't admit it to yourself just yet.
• You're seeking "Evidence": You find yourself Googling, reading books, or listening to podcasts about the very change you're afraid to make.  Trying to tool up. You are subconsciously gathering data to prove it's possible to heighten your feeling of 'readiness'.  It can also be a knowledge trap to be aware of "I will be ready when I have learnt all about x".
• The Fear Has Shifted: You used to be afraid of failing. Of trying and getting egg on your face.  Now, you're starting to feel more afraid of waking up in five years and realising you never tried and how that regret may feel.
• You Feel "In Between": You feel a bit out of place.  Not quite fitting your old life, but you've not started to step into the new one yet. It's a messy middle of a particular type, and it feels lonely. Maybe you feel like you are looking at your life from high above or through a window.  You feel a bit lost and discombobulated.
• Curiosity is Poking You: You aren't feeling brave, far from it but you are starting to maybe step a toe out here and there.  Making lots of mini starts but then running backwards at pace.  You're questioning, "I wonder what would happen if I just tried harder..."

Why Curiosity Is More Powerful Than Confidence

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: You don't need to banish fear to move forward. You just need to let curiosity take the driver's seat so you can feel safe enough to try.

Curiosity is lighter. It's playful. It asks questions rather than demanding answers. 

When you approach change with "I wonder what I'm capable of?" rather than "I must succeed at this," the pressure drops. You don't need to force yourself to be ready. You just need to listen to that part of you that's already halfway out the door.  What is that part of you saying, and what else could you think instead?

You're on the precipice of something new.  That's exactly where you're meant to be.  Sure it can feel scary.   But it can also feel exciting as those emotions are not actually that dissimilar.

If you're reading this and nodding along, knowing that the "old you" is done but the "new you" hasn't landed yet, let's talk. You don't have to navigate the messy middle alone.

Explore the ways you can get started today