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 🖤

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In this episode, I’m focusing on a part of goal setting that’s often overlooked but absolutely essential: recognizing progress.

So many of us set goals, take action, and then immediately move the finish line without ever pausing to notice what we’ve actually accomplished. I talk about why that pattern is especially draining for people with ADHD, and how failing to acknowledge progress can quietly kill motivation, even when you’re doing “everything right.”

We explore how recognizing progress isn’t about forced positivity or fake celebration. It’s about gathering useful data. When you pause and reflect on what’s working, what’s getting easier, and where you’re consistently showing up, you gain clarity about how to set better goals moving forward.

I also share how looking at past progress helps you choose more realistic goal sizes and timelines. Instead of guessing what you should be able to do, you can base your future plans on real evidence from your life. That shift alone can reduce overwhelm and self-criticism almost immediately.

Throughout the episode, I encourage listeners to treat progress as information, not judgment. When you recognize your effort and results, even the small ones, goal setting becomes more supportive, sustainable, and aligned with how you actually function.

If traditional goal setting has left you feeling behind, discouraged, or stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, this episode offers a more compassionate and effective way forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognizing progress is a critical part of sustainable goal setting

• Progress provides data that helps you set more realistic future goals

• Pausing to reflect prevents burnout and constant goal-shifting

• Small wins matter, especially for maintaining motivation with ADHD

• Progress is information, not a measure of your worth or discipline

• Reviewing past effort helps you choose better timelines and goal sizes

• Goal setting works best when it’s grounded in what’s already happening
  

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If you’re local to Colorado Springs, come join me for the Plan Your Year Workshop — an in-person event designed to help entrepreneurs and creatives reflect, realign, and set a plan that actually feels good. I’d love your feedback and ideas as I shape the event!

👉 https://thefierceframework.myflodesk.com/workshop