Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"女性需要将“我还没准备好”转变为“我想做,我会在做的过程中学习”。"

Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg Business Executive
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
You know that feeling when you're about to take on something new and challenging, and you think, "I'm just not ready for this"? The core idea here is pretty straightforward: instead of waiting until you feel 100% prepared, jump in and trust that you'll figure things out along the way. Especially for women, who often feel the need to be totally ready before they take on a new role or task, this shift in mindset can be incredibly empowering.

Historically, this notion has its roots in the gender confidence gap—a term referring to the observation that women often underestimate their abilities compared to men. This sentiment has been echoed in leadership circles and career advice for women. It’s about breaking away from the perfectionist tendencies that hold you back and embracing a learning-by-doing attitude.

Take Sheryl Sandberg, for example. In her book "Lean In," she talks about her own experiences at Facebook when she felt unqualified to take on new challenges. Despite her doubts, she chose to dive in, learning and growing on the job. This approach helped her become one of the most influential women in tech.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing when you're hesitating because you don't feel ready. Next time a new opportunity comes your way—whether it’s a job, a project, or even a hobby—don't overthink it. Say yes, and trust that you’ll pick things up as you go. You don't need to have all the answers right away. What you need is the courage to begin.

Imagine this: you're at work, and your boss announces there's an opening for a project leader in a high-stakes initiative. Your first instinct might be to bow out, thinking you're not ready. But what if, instead, you said, "I want to lead this project, and I’ll learn as I go"? You dive in, ask questions, seek mentors, and gradually, you find your footing. By the end of the project, you're not just more knowledgeable and skilled, but you've also gained a ton of confidence.

Or think about starting a new hobby—like painting. You've never picked up a brush before, and you’re sure your first attempt will look like a toddler’s scribbles. But that’s okay! Start painting anyway. Each stroke teaches you something new, each mistake is a lesson, and before you know it, you’re improving.

Here's a relatable scenario: imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s talking about her new side hustle. She’s selling handmade jewelry online and she’s super excited about it. You’ve always wanted to try something similar but felt you weren’t ready. Inspired by her enthusiasm, you decide to start your own Etsy store. You don’t have all the answers, and the first few weeks are a learning curve. But as you navigate the challenges, you get better at it. You learn from customer feedback, figure out the best materials to use, and your confidence grows with each new piece you create.

The bottom line is, don't wait for the perfect moment or until you feel completely ready. Those moments might never come. Instead, take the leap, trust yourself, and learn as you go. You'll be surprised at what you can achieve when you shift your mindset from hesitation to action.
Related tags
Confidence Determination Female leadership Growth mindset Learning by doing Motivation Overcoming fear Personal development Self-belief Women empowerment
MORE QUOTES BY Sheryl Sandberg
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon