"Sometimes it is better to begin the journey, to get under way, then it is to sit back and wait until such time that you're convinced that all conditions are perfect and that there'll be no surprises along the route"
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Action reveals what planning cannot. The line urges movement despite the allure of perfect conditions, pushing back against the comforting illusion of total control. Waiting for flawless alignment postpones the very learning that would make success more likely. Surprises along the route are not defects to be eliminated in advance; they are the terrain itself. Beginning generates feedback, exposes constraints, and uncovers opportunities invisible from the sidelines.
There is a practical wisdom here that resonates with entrepreneurship, creative work, and public leadership alike. A pilot program, a prototype, a first conversation with customers or constituents can correct course faster than months of theorizing. The early miles of any journey often recalibrate the map, proving some worries unfounded while revealing real risks that meticulous planning missed. Progress emerges from iteration rather than perfection, from a cadence of small bets and course corrections.
Psychologically, perfectionism and fear of failure masquerade as prudence. The promise of certainty seduces people into delay, but uncertainty rarely shrinks with time alone; it yields to engagement. Starting sooner is a form of risk management: smaller, earlier exposures prevent larger, later catastrophes, and they build resilience through experience. The discipline is not reckless haste but timely initiation with the expectation of adjustment.
Coming from a political executive, the sentiment also reflects the realities of governing. Conditions are never ideal, stakeholders rarely unanimous, and windows of opportunity close. Leaders who insist on total clarity before acting often lose momentum and public trust. Those who begin responsibly, learn openly, and adapt transparently can accumulate credibility while delivering results.
The journey metaphor is apt: no navigator demands a perfectly calm sea before leaving harbor. A good vessel, a working compass, and a crew that can tack with shifting winds matter more. The work is to get under way, gather truth from the water beneath the keel, and keep steering toward the destination.
There is a practical wisdom here that resonates with entrepreneurship, creative work, and public leadership alike. A pilot program, a prototype, a first conversation with customers or constituents can correct course faster than months of theorizing. The early miles of any journey often recalibrate the map, proving some worries unfounded while revealing real risks that meticulous planning missed. Progress emerges from iteration rather than perfection, from a cadence of small bets and course corrections.
Psychologically, perfectionism and fear of failure masquerade as prudence. The promise of certainty seduces people into delay, but uncertainty rarely shrinks with time alone; it yields to engagement. Starting sooner is a form of risk management: smaller, earlier exposures prevent larger, later catastrophes, and they build resilience through experience. The discipline is not reckless haste but timely initiation with the expectation of adjustment.
Coming from a political executive, the sentiment also reflects the realities of governing. Conditions are never ideal, stakeholders rarely unanimous, and windows of opportunity close. Leaders who insist on total clarity before acting often lose momentum and public trust. Those who begin responsibly, learn openly, and adapt transparently can accumulate credibility while delivering results.
The journey metaphor is apt: no navigator demands a perfectly calm sea before leaving harbor. A good vessel, a working compass, and a crew that can tack with shifting winds matter more. The work is to get under way, gather truth from the water beneath the keel, and keep steering toward the destination.
Quote Details
| Topic | New Beginnings |
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