“Don’t be a fool. Don’t be the person always getting ready to start. Instead, always be starting the clock.” – Ryan Holiday

How many times have we told ourselves, “I’ll start Monday,” “After the next meeting,” or “Once things settle down…”?

The truth? Things rarely settle. Conditions are rarely perfect. And “getting ready” too often becomes a trap—disguised as preparation, but quietly feeding procrastination.

Ryan Holiday’s quote is a wake-up call: Don’t just prepare. Begin.

Don’t be the person endlessly planning. Be the one who presses “start.”

The Myth of Getting Ready

I’ve spent a lifetime helping people and organizations navigate change. And I’ve seen it again and again—good intentions stalled by overthinking, fear of failure, or just waiting for the “right time.”

There’s nothing wrong with preparation. But there is something deeply wrong with never launching.

Momentum doesn’t come from readiness—it comes from action.

Practical Ways to “Start the Clock” in Your Life

Let’s ground this idea in something useful. Here are 5 ways you can stop “getting ready” and actually start:

1. Time Block Your First Step

Don’t wait for clarity—create it by doing.

Choose one meaningful task and block off 30 minutes today. Don’t wait until you feel “motivated.” Let action create the motivation.

Example: Instead of reading another article on writing a book, open a document and write one paragraph.

2. Use the 2-Minute Rule

If something will take 2 minutes or less—do it now.

It’s a small but powerful way to shift from intention to motion.

Send the email. Make the call. Lay out your workout clothes. Action builds identity.

3. Pick a Daily “Starter” Ritual

Build a tiny ritual that signals, “It’s time to begin.”

This could be a cup of coffee before writing, or three deep breaths before tackling a hard task.

The ritual isn’t the work—but it starts the clock.

4. Stop Waiting for Perfect Conditions

Progress happens in real life—messy, unpredictable, full of distractions.

Waiting for a “better time” is just fear in disguise.

Instead of perfect, aim for consistent. Imperfect progress is still progress.

5. Set a Visible Timer

Use a kitchen timer, Pomodoro app, or stopwatch on your phone.

When you start the clock, you shift from passive to active. You tell your brain: This matters now.

Bonus—timers reduce overwhelm by giving you a finish line.

Start Small. Start Now.

In my book Life Rewards Action, which I’m currently working on,  I talk a lot about micro-wins—the little things we do that quietly build momentum. Starting the clock is the ultimate micro-win. It moves you from the sidelines to the field. From “thinking about it” to living it.

So let’s stop getting ready. Let’s start.

Right now…