It's been a few weeks since I've sent a newsletter.
Why?
Well, partly because life has been busy. And partly because I have a tendency to wait until everything feels just right.
I want to have a great topic. Something worth thinking about. Beautiful visuals. A newsletter that's interesting, enjoyable, and genuinely worth the time you spend reading it.
And somewhere in the middle of trying to make all of that happen, I managed to accomplish absolutely nothing.
The irony isn't lost on me.
I was sitting here thinking about what I wanted to write this week when it occurred to me that maybe the very thing keeping me from sending this newsletter was exactly what I needed to write about.
Sometimes you just have to start.
Not when the conditions are perfect. Not when you have all the answers. Not when you finally feel ready.
Just start.
Why We Wait for the Perfect Time
And I don't think this applies only to creative projects or newsletters.
I think it applies to almost everything.
Life has a remarkable way of giving us reasons to put things off. Some are legitimate. Others are excuses we've become very good at convincing ourselves are legitimate.
Maybe it's getting back into a fitness routine, but your body has a few more aches and pains than it used to. (Ask me how I know.)
Maybe it's pursuing a business idea or a dream you've been carrying around for years, but you're afraid of failing.
Maybe it's stepping into a room full of people who are more experienced or accomplished than you and wondering whether you really belong there.
Or maybe it's a difficult conversation with a friend, spouse, or partner that you've been avoiding because you don't know exactly how to approach it.
Different circumstances. Same result.
We wait.
We wait until we feel stronger, smarter, more prepared, more confident, or until the timing feels right.
And sometimes, while we're busy waiting, weeks turn into months. Months turn into years.
We end up in this strange no man's land between wanting something to change and actually doing anything about it.
When Preparation Becomes Procrastination
I've been thinking about how easy it is to mistake preparation for progress.
Planning feels productive. Research feels productive. Thinking through every possible outcome can feel like we're moving forward.
And sometimes we are.
But eventually, we have to do something.
Action is what moves us from where we are to where we want to be.
Progress Doesn't Have to Be Perfect
And here's something I need to remind myself of more often: We are allowed to be beginners. We're allowed to get things wrong. We're allowed to change course, figure things out as we go, and occasionally make a mess of things.
Most of the time, people will give us a little grace.
Sometimes they won't.
But that's probably a conversation for another day.
For now, I'm reminding myself that imperfect progress is still progress.
And if I'm going to encourage other people to keep growing, trying new things, and chasing whatever comes next, I should probably be willing to take my own advice.
So here it is.
One very delayed newsletter. Not necessarily the perfect topic, with the perfect photos, delivered on the perfect schedule.
But it's here.
And I'm glad you're here, too.
Summits and Society is still a grassroots project. I'm building it around work, family, travel, adventures, and all the other things that make up a pretty full life. I'm learning as I go, and I appreciate you being along for the ride.
I have a lot of ideas for where this community can go. And rather than waiting until every detail is figured out, I'm going to keep showing up and building it.
One imperfect step at a time.
This Week's Challenge
Think about something you've been putting off.
Not because you don't want to do it, but because you're waiting for the right time, the right conditions, or a little more confidence.
What's one small action you could take this week to move it forward?
Make the call. Send the email. Sign up for the class. Have the conversation. Go for the walk. Put the idea out into the world.
It doesn't have to be a giant leap.
It just has to be a start.
And if you feel like sharing, hit reply and tell me what you've been putting off. I'd genuinely love to hear about it.
If you need a nudge in the other direction too, Put Something on the Horizon is a reminder to make room for the things you're looking forward to. And there are more stories from the trail over in the Campfire Journal.
Still expanding. Still building. Still becoming.
Join The Weekly Dispatch for more reflections, adventures, and a little encouragement to make room for what's next.