87. Stepping Back to Move Forward: How Preparation Creates Long-Term Success
Thu Feb 05 2026
In this episode, I’m talking about something that can feel deeply uncomfortable for driven, growth-oriented people, especially those of us with big dreams and ADHD brains: choosing to pause instead of pushing forward.
I explore the difference between being ready and being prepared, and why waiting doesn’t automatically mean you’re quitting, failing, or betraying yourself. Using my own experience of postponing a long-planned trip to Belize, I share how stepping back for a year allowed me to build financial stability, pay down debt, and create habits that made the experience far more aligned and enjoyable when I finally went.
We also dig into the tension between action and perfectionism. I talk about how growth often feels awkward and inauthentic at first, and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Becoming a new version of yourself is a process, not a performance, and clarity usually comes after you start moving, not before.
This episode is especially for you if you’re wrestling with big decisions, questioning whether you’re moving too fast or too slow, or feeling guilt about postponing a goal that still matters to you. Sometimes, taking a step back isn’t avoidance. Sometimes, it’s strategy.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
The difference between feeling ready and being truly prepared
Why stepping back can actually support long-term goals
How perfectionism can disguise itself as “waiting for clarity”
Why growth can feel forced or inauthentic before it feels natural
How I reframed postponing my Belize trip as alignment, not failure
Balancing practical realities like debt and finances with big life dreams
How to tell the difference between intentional preparation and avoidance
Key Takeaways:
Pausing can be a powerful, aligned choice, not a step backward
Growth often feels awkward before it feels authentic
Clarity and confidence are built through action and reflection, not perfection
Postponing a goal doesn’t mean abandoning it
Financial stability and dream-building don’t have to be opposing forces
Trusting yourself sometimes means choosing the slower, steadier path
If you’re in a season where you’re questioning your pace, I want you to hear this clearly: you’re not behind. Sometimes the most self-trusting thing you can do is give yourself time to prepare, even when everything in you wants to rush ahead.
If this episode resonated, come hang out with me on social media or join my newsletter, where I share more about sustainable growth, burnout-free progress, and building a life that actually fits you.
You’re allowed to move forward thoughtfully. And you’re allowed to take your time 🖤
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefierceframework/
Join my email list! Use the link below to make sure you don’t miss another Saturday morning love letter from me. 👉 https://thefierceframework.myflodesk.com/list
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In this episode, I’m talking about something that can feel deeply uncomfortable for driven, growth-oriented people, especially those of us with big dreams and ADHD brains: choosing to pause instead of pushing forward. I explore the difference between being ready and being prepared, and why waiting doesn’t automatically mean you’re quitting, failing, or betraying yourself. Using my own experience of postponing a long-planned trip to Belize, I share how stepping back for a year allowed me to build financial stability, pay down debt, and create habits that made the experience far more aligned and enjoyable when I finally went. We also dig into the tension between action and perfectionism. I talk about how growth often feels awkward and inauthentic at first, and why that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Becoming a new version of yourself is a process, not a performance, and clarity usually comes after you start moving, not before. This episode is especially for you if you’re wrestling with big decisions, questioning whether you’re moving too fast or too slow, or feeling guilt about postponing a goal that still matters to you. Sometimes, taking a step back isn’t avoidance. Sometimes, it’s strategy. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The difference between feeling ready and being truly prepared Why stepping back can actually support long-term goals How perfectionism can disguise itself as “waiting for clarity” Why growth can feel forced or inauthentic before it feels natural How I reframed postponing my Belize trip as alignment, not failure Balancing practical realities like debt and finances with big life dreams How to tell the difference between intentional preparation and avoidance Key Takeaways: Pausing can be a powerful, aligned choice, not a step backward Growth often feels awkward before it feels authentic Clarity and confidence are built through action and reflection, not perfection Postponing a goal doesn’t mean abandoning it Financial stability and dream-building don’t have to be opposing forces Trusting yourself sometimes means choosing the slower, steadier path If you’re in a season where you’re questioning your pace, I want you to hear this clearly: you’re not behind. Sometimes the most self-trusting thing you can do is give yourself time to prepare, even when everything in you wants to rush ahead. If this episode resonated, come hang out with me on social media or join my newsletter, where I share more about sustainable growth, burnout-free progress, and building a life that actually fits you. You’re allowed to move forward thoughtfully. And you’re allowed to take your time 🖤 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefierceframework/ Join my email list! Use the link below to make sure you don’t miss another Saturday morning love letter from me. 👉 https://thefierceframework.myflodesk.com/list