From Knowing to Doing - A Three-Part Series

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on why capable people struggle to follow through on what they know they want to do. In Part 1, Why Capable People Hesitate, we explored how this common pattern stems from your nervous system. In this post, we're diving deeper into how this works and why it's actually a sign that you're growing.

Have you ever noticed how you can feel completely confident about an idea in private, but the moment you're about to share it publicly—whether that's hitting publish, speaking up in a meeting, or putting yourself out there professionally, you suddenly find 17 other things that need to be done first?

This isn't a coincidence. It's your nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Why your brain treats visibility like danger

For most of human history, belonging to the group was essential for survival. Our ancestors thrived by fitting in, not standing out. This deep need for belonging became hardwired into our biology.

Studies show that the neural circuits processing social threats like rejection or criticism overlap significantly with those that handle physical threats, particularly in areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.

In other words, your brain literally processes the threat of judgment the same way it processes physical danger. The same neural pathways that once scanned for predators now scan for social threats—criticism, rejection, or being misunderstood. This is why the fear of being seen can feel so visceral and overwhelming.

When you're about to do something that increases your visibility or puts your ideas on the line, your brain's ancient alarm system activates. It doesn't matter that you're just sending an email or posting content. To your nervous system, visibility equals vulnerability, and vulnerability feels dangerous.

This is why you can spend hours perfecting something that would take five minutes to create and send. Your system is buying time, hoping the "danger" will pass.

Your nervous system is actually doing precisely what it was designed to do: keep you alive. The challenge is that the very mechanisms that once kept you safe in a tribal context can now keep you from the growth, leadership, and authentic expression that modern life requires.

The two ways of being inside you

There are two ways of being operating inside you right now.

Your current way of being is made up of unconscious thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that keep you stuck. It's the part that tweaks the project plan instead of taking the first step. It's the voice that says, "I need one more course before I'm ready." It's the automatic response that finds something safer to do when it's time to be visible.

Your current way is actually a sign of your system working properly. It's been your reliable guardian, ensuring your safety. It learned early that being seen comes with risks, and it's been faithfully doing its job ever since.

But there's also your new way of being that's already aligned with what you care about. This is the version that shows up with authenticity, creates from love instead of fear, and trusts that your contribution is needed. This version recognizes that your voice matters and yearns to be expressed.

The gap between these two ways of being is an opportunity for insight. Every time you procrastinate on a difficult conversation or overthink a small next step, you're being shown where your current way is still leading.

Your new way is already present. It comes forward when you're in flow, when you're lit up by something you believe in, or when you speak from a place of grounded truth. It's there in those quiet moments when you feel a deep knowing that there's more waiting for you.

The gap between these two ways of being is an opportunity for insight. Every time you procrastinate on a difficult conversation or overthink a small next step, you're being shown where your current way is still leading.

Your new way is already present. It comes forward when you're in flow, when you're lit up by something you believe in, or when you speak from a place of grounded truth. It's there in those quiet moments when you feel a deep knowing that there's more waiting for you.

How this shows up in daily life

Understanding these two operating systems helps explain behaviors that might otherwise seem random or self-defeating.

When you suddenly decide you need to reorganize your entire filing system before writing that important email, that's your Current Way activated. When you spend three hours researching the "perfect" approach instead of taking the imperfect first step, that's your protective system at work.

You might tell yourself, "I just need to be more consistent," or "I just need to implement a new calendar system," and then wonder why it feels so hard to make progress. You might feel resistance around sending that message, or suddenly decide you need to learn one more skill before you're "ready."

These aren't random acts of procrastination—they're intelligent responses from a system that's trying to keep you safe. The perceived risk of being judged, misunderstood, or failing can feel just as real as physical danger to your nervous system.

The gap is where growth lives

The gap between these two ways of being is an opportunity for insight. Every time you procrastinate on a difficult conversation or overthink a small next step, you're being shown where your Current Way is still leading.

This isn't something to judge or push through—it's information. It's your system letting you know, "This feels vulnerable. I'm not sure it's safe to proceed."

The goal isn't to necessarily eliminate your Current Way. It's served you well, and there will be times when caution is genuinely needed. The goal is to develop the capacity to recognize when it's running the show and to consciously choose your New Way when that serves your growth and contribution better.

Why this matters now more than ever

We're living in a time when the old structures of traditional careers, established pathways, and external validation systems are shifting rapidly. More people are being called to lead with their authentic voice, create their own opportunities, and contribute in ways that feel meaningful.

This kind of work requires you to be seen, to take stands, to put your ideas into the world before you have all the answers. It requires you to operate from your New Way more consistently than previous generations ever had to.

The people who learn to work with their nervous system, rather than being controlled by it, are the ones who can show up consistently, take meaningful action, and create the impact they're truly capable of.

A simple practice to try this week

Here's something you can experiment with right now: For the next few days, simply notice which operating system is running the show at different moments throughout your day.

When you feel energized and flowing, when ideas come easily, when you're naturally taking action—that's your New Way. Notice how this feels in your body. What's the quality of your breath? How do your shoulders sit? What's the sensation in your chest?

When you feel contracted, when you're procrastinating on something important, when you're caught in perfectionism or research loops—that's most likely your Current Way activated. Just notice the physical sensations without trying to change anything.

This isn't about building awareness of these two different ways of being so you can begin to recognize them more quickly.

Awareness always comes before choice.

Observe. You might be surprised by what you discover.

What's coming in Part 3

In our final part, I'll share a three-step practice to move forward more consistently that you can use in real-time when you notice yourself hesitating. You'll learn how to create enough internal safety that taking action begins to feel energizing.

Are you curious to explore your unique current way of being and new way of being? Everyone has their own specific patterns and untapped potential. These are revealed through a deep assessment and personalized work in my six-month breakthrough journey coaching program. If this resonates, reach out for a complimentary coaching call. I'd love to explore this work with you.

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Moving Forward When You Don't Feel Ready