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[Transcript]

New things are scariest before you start them. Changes are so loud, especially when you care about them. So, you might end up covering your ears and getting away. Can you relate?

I'm a huge worrier, so preparation’s been my bestie. I never started something new when I felt unprepared. That's me. But I came to realize that this trait has a drawback in some way.

In the last two years, I launched some projects. Although these were hobby projects, I've learned something significant: the more you wait to start, the more you get worried and the longer you worry. I was terrified before launching my projects, but I could manage them. It took some time to get used to the new rides, but I was alright. That realization helped me stop prolonging my worry time.

At the end of last year, I started tutoring some Japanese learners and English learners. Before I did it, I was in two minds. Am I ready for this? I felt so unprepared and inexperienced, so I gravitated towards my bestie, "preparation." With hindsight, I was daunted because, in the back of my mind, I felt teaching was the shoes I was meant to wear. I was prolonging the fear of starting something new by messing around with courses and books. But the thing was: however many courses I took, however many books I read, nothing gave me enough confidence to start. Then I noticed. Four years of education, teacher's license, TESOL training, two years of teaching experience... None of them made me feel ready. Am I ever going to feel ready?

My husband once told me, “Get a good sleep, and do it already.” I’m no longer sure why he said it to me, and I’m 100% sure that he doesn’t remember it either. I was probably putting off something important back then, and he was sick of it. But I was empowered by that mantra no one remembered. Also, my hobby projects assured me that if I start something, I’ll be able to manage. Confidence comes after you try your best.

Lessons never fail to make me nervous, but I've been gaining confidence in teaching by teaching and overcoming challenges every day. I hit 500 lessons at the beginning of this month, and I teach every weekday. I've never felt satisfied like this with what I do.

Preparation is crucial. I don’t say, “Do it now, forget preparation.” NO. I have faith in prep time. But if you keep pushing back something important for a long time that is more than necessary, do it already. We can't take tomorrow for granted. You don't have to get to where you want to be with one huge step. Take a small step towards it and see what will happen. I’m sure the small step won't kill you. And it's alright if you don’t excel at something right off the bat.

Changes are intimidating, and your mind sometimes underestimates your skills and knowledge. You might worry that you're still not good enough. If that’s happening to you, find a mentor, friend, teacher, or whoever can guide you until you start what you care about and talk to them.

After that, get a good sleep, and do it already. Everything, everything will be alright.