Don’t Wait for Perfect Circumstances
As an independent contractor, I work with a group of dentists who hire me to perform their surgeries. This means I operate in several dental offices that I don’t own. While the work runs smoothly overall, there are small aspects of this arrangement I can’t control.
One of the biggest? Space.
Because I’m usually working in an office shared with other providers, I often don’t have a private room to write notes, do yoga, or run my other businesses. So oftentimes my only option is doing work in the bathroom, the car, or outside on a park bench. I’ve learned to make doing the work my priority, not having the perfect circumstances the priority. One of my passion projects is writing and producing podcasts that help my community of surgeons. At one point I realized that I was never going to get those projects started if I didn’t make due with the less than ideal circumstances.
The Danger of the “Shadow Career”
Steven Pressfield, a tremendous writer and teacher, describes “shadow careers” as jobs that consume the time and energy we could have devoted to our true calling. These careers often start from a genuine interest—but over time, we reach the peak of that mountain and find ourselves wanting more. More learning. A new mission. A deeper purpose.
But the view from the top is good. We worked hard to get here. The idea of climbing back down and starting a new ascent can be overwhelming. So, we stay—stuck—not because we don’t have passion, but because the next mountain feels too far away.
Starting Is the Hardest Part
There are real barriers to chasing a new dream:
- Finances. Most of us can’t quit our job cold turkey to pursue a passion project.
- The discomfort of learning again. We’re used to being competent in our current work. Starting over is humbling.
But the first step is always the hardest.
Take writing a book. 99% of people who say they want to write one never start. Of those who do, only 3% finish and publish it.
Waiting for Perfect Is a Trap
In Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins shares his story of becoming a Navy SEAL, running ultra-marathons, and overcoming trauma. One of his key takeaways?
“Begin now. Don’t wait for perfect conditions.”
Waiting for perfect circumstances is the perfectionist’s trap. The perfectionist wants every duck in a row before starting. But the ducks rarely line up. And the work never starts.
The Podcast That Wouldn’t Let Me Go
When I first thought about starting an oral surgery podcast, life was already full:
- Full-time oral surgeon
- Six busy kids
- A second business (restaurant development)
- Active church service
The doubts came quickly:
Do I even have time? A quiet space? Who would listen? Am I the right person for this?
But the desire wouldn’t go away. It was too exciting, too soul-stirring. I had to try.
So, I bought podcast equipment. I reached out to friends. Many were skeptical. “Who’s going to listen to us talk?” they asked.
I believed there were people who would.
The hardest part turned out to be scheduling. Finding a time that worked for both me and a fellow surgeon was tough. I ended up recording episodes in the middle of the day, even adjusting my surgery schedule—which sometimes meant giving up income and staying late at work. Weekend episodes meant time away from my family.
Was it worth it?
Yes. Every time.
Sharing thoughtful conversations that could impact colleagues around the world lit a fire in me. It made me feel alive.
Yes, I Did Yoga in the Bathroom
When I needed a place to stretch and meditate, I didn’t wait for a perfect space. I used the bathroom. When I didn’t have my own office to write down a blogpost or podcast outline for the week, again, I went to the bathroom. Many inspirational thoughts have come to me as I did some deep thinking on the throne or the bathroom floor.
That’s what was available. So I made it work.
Don’t Wait. Start Now.
There are people who work hard—and there are people who work hard despite imperfect conditions. That’s what separates those who get things done from those who don’t.
Yes, always improve your environment where you can.
But don’t wait for the stars to align before you start. Remember, your mission is the priority, not the conditions in which you carry out your mission.
Start now.
Reflective Questions
- What is your passion project?
- What’s holding you back from starting—or finishing—it?
- What conditions do you feel are limiting you?
- Which of those can you improve?
- Which will you need to work around?
Action Steps
- Start today. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes.
- Don’t aim for perfect—aim for progress.
- Create a daily or weekly time block to work on your mission.
- Remind yourself: The world needs what you have to offer.