_{This weeks Hussle Topic is all about what’s really stopping you from starting}

Yo Hussle fam,

You’ve got an idea. It’s been bubbling up inside you, pushing against the walls of your mind, begging to be released. Whether it’s a creative project or a business venture, the urge to start something new is undeniable. But despite the excitement, the late-night brainstorming, and the countless hours spent imagining what could be, you haven’t taken that first step. You haven’t started.

Why?

What’s really stopping you from diving in and making that idea a reality?

Perfection is a sly thief. It convinces you that your idea needs to be flawless before you can even begin. But here’s the truth: perfection is a myth, an unattainable standard that paralyzes progress. The fear of making something imperfect, of failing to meet your own high expectations, often leads to inaction. You tell yourself you’re just waiting for the right moment, the perfect plan, the ideal conditions—but those things rarely, if ever, come.

The reality is that imperfection is part of the process. The rough drafts, the first renditions, the initial attempts—these are the steps that lead to growth and refinement. If you wait until everything is perfect, you’ll never start. Embrace the messy beginnings; they’re the birthplace of greatness.

Fear of failure is probably the most common barrier to starting anything new. What if it doesn’t work out? What if people don’t like it? What if you invest all this time, energy, and money, only to end up with nothing to show for it? These are valid questions, and they stem from a natural human instinct to avoid pain and disappointment.

But the same way you can ask What if not, you can can ask what if it does.

But here’s the thing: failure is not the enemy. In fact, it’s often the greatest teacher. Every successful person, every thriving business, every creative masterpiece was born from a series of failures. The difference is that successful people don’t let failure stop them. They learn from it, adjust their course, and keep going. Instead of seeing failure as an endpoint, view it as a stepping stone—an essential part of the journey.

You might have a hundred ideas swirling around in your head, each one pulling you in a different direction. Or maybe you’ve done so much research that you’re drowning in information, unsure of where to begin. This overwhelming sense of too much all at once can freeze you in place. The more you think about it, the more daunting it becomes, leading to analysis paralysis.

The solution? Simplify. Focus on one thing at a time. Break your idea down into small, manageable steps. Prioritise what needs to be done first, and just start with that. Action breeds clarity, and clarity dissolves overwhelm. Once you take that first step, the path forward will start to reveal itself.

Starting something new requires stepping out of your comfort zone. It means entering a space where you’re not an expert, where things might not go as planned. The known, even if it’s not fulfilling, feels safe. It’s predictable. The unknown, however, is filled with uncertainty, and that can be scary.

But growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. Your creativity, your potential, your future success—they all lie on the other side of discomfort. The only way to get there is to embrace the uncertainty, to accept that you might stumble along the way. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. The discomfort is temporary, but the rewards of pushing through it can be life-changing.

Deep down, there might be a part of you that doesn’t believe you’re capable. Maybe you’ve internalized the doubts of others, or perhaps you’re comparing yourself to people who are already successful in the field. This lack of self-belief can be crippling, making you question whether you’re even worthy of pursuing your idea.

But here’s the thing: every person who’s ever achieved something great started with the same doubts. The difference is that they didn’t let those doubts define them. They acted despite the fear. They chose to believe in their potential, even when the evidence wasn’t there yet. You have to be your own biggest supporter, especially in the early stages when the results aren’t visible yet. Trust that you have something unique to offer, and that your idea deserves to be brought to life.

What’s really stopping you from starting is not the external circumstances or the lack of resources. It’s the internal barriers—the fears, the doubts, the need for perfection—that hold you back. But the good news is that these barriers are not things you can’t change. They’re not set in stone. They can be overcome with the right mindset and a willingness to take that first step, even if it’s a small one.

So, start before you’re ready. Start when you’re scared. Start when you’re unsure. The most important thing is to just start. Because once you do, you’ll realise that the hardest part wasn’t the work itself, but overcoming the mental barriers that were keeping you from it. Your creativity, your business, your idea—whatever it is—deserves to exist. And only you can make that happen.

Take a deep breath, and go.

Stay hussling

Ibrahim

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_{I’ve found that curiosity is one of the keys to growing in this industry. The moment you stop learning, is the moment you stop growing so every week in Curiosity Corner. l share a bunch of random books, youtube videos, music I listen to and more that have and still help me develop both personally and professionally. Have a look and let me know your thoughts!}