Say Yes First, Learn Later
Stop waiting for permission or perfect conditions — take small, real-world actions, experiment, and let experience teach you.
“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes — then learn how to do it later!” — Richard Branson
Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, a global conglomerate spanning music, airlines, telecommunications, and even space travel. From a young age, Branson embraced a hands-on, experimental approach to life and business. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions or formal training, he learned by doing — launching ventures, taking risks, and learning from both successes and failures.
He famously started Virgin Records with no formal business education, relied on trial and error, and continuously put himself in new, challenging situations. This willingness to step into the unknown and learn through experience has been central to his growth, helping him develop a broad range of skills and build a career defined by innovation, resilience, and bold initiative.
Like Branson, I’ve found that real growth comes only when I step into the unknown myself.
Learning by doing
I’ve realized that I’ve learned far more by putting myself out there and learning through trial and error than I ever have from sitting through tutorials or online courses. For example:
I learned more about teaching yoga from actually teaching classes than from the 1,400+ hours of yoga teacher training I’ve completed.
I’ve gained more insight into marketing and communications by experimenting with connecting with my audience online than from taking courses on the subject.
And when it comes to working with a team to achieve shared goals, I’ve learned more by actively collaborating and navigating real group dynamics than from reading about “effective teamwork” in books or guides.
Experience has taught me lessons that no course could replicate. Most of my growth has happened through doing, not in the preparation.
The Trap of Over-Preparing
I’ve made the mistake of thinking I needed to be fully ready before taking action, and so I spent endless hours studying, taking courses, seeking mentorship, and buying books — all in the name of “preparing myself.”
In reality, what I was doing was avoiding learning through direct experience. I wanted to grow, I wanted to contribute, but self-doubt held me back. I feared making mistakes, being judged, or failing, so I chose the safety of studying over the risk of doing. Ironically, all this time, I was ready to apply myself, I just didn’t trust myself to step into situations that intimidated me.
It wasn’t until procrastination was no longer an option, when I was pushed into the discomfort, that I finally had to act. That’s when real growth began, the kind that comes only from doing, failing, adjusting, and trying again.
The Mindset That Moves You Forward
The difference between doing and being stuck in preparation comes down to mindset. On one side, there’s fear and over-preparation — the urge to study, plan, and wait until you “feel ready.” On the other, there’s action and a growth mindset — willingness to experiment, learn, and adjust along the way. In reality, we need a balance between the two. We don’t want to be paralyzed by fear, but we also don’t want to act blindly, staying so busy that we miss opportunities to pivot or improve.
The path toward realizing something we want is never clean, linear, or crystal clear, even if we wish it were. It’s human: messy, uncertain, and sometimes confusing. A growth-focused mindset helps us stick it out, stay solution-oriented, and keep learning, even when the path isn’t obvious.
Starting Where You Are
Often, we don’t start because we fear we’ll fail or that things won’t turn out as we expect. But starting is necessary to arrive anywhere. We have to accept that we will make mistakes along the way and learn as we go. If you listen to anyone who is successful, you’ll notice a common thread: they started when they were uncertain. They faced confusion, doubt, and hesitation, but they kept moving forward.
Committing to starting is, in itself, a commitment to yourself and your personal growth — arguably your biggest reward on the journey, bigger than any specific outcomes. As we act toward what we want, we gain confidence and realize we are capable in ways we previously thought impossible. We surprise ourselves, build resilience, and find the courage to take on increasingly bigger challenges, understanding that our personal growth is unlimited and unending.
Trusting the Path
Often, we do not start or follow through because we doubt ourselves and our ability to succeed, to achieve what we want. But we forget that being in momentum alone will bring progress. When we commit to moving, and to the growth that is inevitable along the way, we open ourselves up to possibilities and opportunities we could not have anticipated.
For example, when I began my journey with yoga, I was overly attached to the idea of building a yoga business. Along the way, I discovered that what I most enjoyed was writing and expressing myself. By staying flexible and open, I allowed myself to pivot, continuing on the journey in a way I hadn’t originally imagined. In a sense, I left yoga behind, but not really. I simply followed the trail of actions and opportunities, letting them guide me to what I was meant to explore next.
We don’t have to know how things will work out, especially because the destination may be completely different from what we envisioned. All we have to do is keep moving forward, showing up for what is in front of us with a growth mindset and a willingness to improve and see ourselves more clearly. As long as we continue to act and engage, we are always moving forward. The most important thing is not to remain in control of the path or the outcome, but to trust the process.
Wrapping It All Together
Ultimately, the goal is not just skill development: it’s personal growth. As we learn skills through direct experience, we gain self-confidence and begin to believe in our ability to tackle challenges and advance in life in the ways we envision. The real reward is self-belief: the trust that we can overcome difficulties, face tough obstacles, and keep moving forward, no matter what.
Along the way, the single most powerful factor is our attitude: specifically, our ability to enjoy the process and make the most of the pitfalls, mishaps, and detours. Laugh, have fun, and embrace the absurdity of the journey. People are drawn to happiness, positivity, and presence. If you can be happy now, accepting where you are and having gratitude for what you have and who you have in your life, you have arrived. Success is not only about achieving a goal — it’s about embracing the growth, the learning, and the joy along the way.
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