About this quote

Start with one small, concrete test of your abilities instead of waiting to feel ready. Try a task that stretches you a bit and track the result; that gives you real data about what you can do. Ask someone honest for feedback and treat it like useful information, not a judgment. What one move will you try this week to prove you can handle more?

When to use it

• During my performance review I said, "I'm ready to run the pilot project for three months — let me show I can lead a small team."
• Before I hit submit on a tough graduate program application I told myself, "I'll apply and if I get in I'll manage the workload; I can learn what I need."
• When I signed up for a 10K, I told my training partner, "Let's do two steady runs a week and check progress in four weeks — I can build up to this."
• At a seed meeting I opened with, "We already have ten paying customers and a clear plan to reach thirty in three months with this funding."