Why you don’t need all the answers

I’ve been practicing a powerful mindset shift over the last few years, and it’s changed my life. I’m learning to let go of the need to know how I’ll achieve a goal before I start working towards it. All I need is a clear vision of what I want and why, and a belief that I can achieve it. This belief fuels confidence in my capabilities, and keeps me moving forward.

I can spend a lot of time overthinking situations, paralyzed by the need to make the “right” decision, taking hours to lay out the path, and double checking the options before taking a step. Usually this over-analyzing leads to self-doubt and imposter syndrome, convincing me I lack the skills or knowledge others have who can do it better than I can. All that thinking, researching and planning can keep me stuck and waste time that could be spent on taking action instead. It paints a bleak picture, making me question if the effort is even worth it.

Micromanaging the “how” can also create rigidity. If something unexpected happens and I’m fixated on a specific path I’ve planned out, it leaves little room to use creativity to adapt or deal with roadblocks. It overrides my limbic system, the emotional part of my brain that often knows something is right even when I can’t give a logical explanation for why.

When I trust myself and my intuition, nothing can hold me back. I have belief in my abilities, and if I need to know more, I know I’ll learn as I go. I’m a great problem solver and overcoming challenges helps me grow. Instead of getting lost in the details of “how,” I try to focus on the present. When I get lost in the journey, I simply identify the next step, take that step, and then the one after that. I know now that the road doesn’t need to be completed and paved in gold for me to start walking. 

I remember walking down the street with a friend, telling her about the exciting future ahead of me. I had walked the path, let go of the how, and my most recent goals had been achieved, more than I ever thought possible. I had realized my dreams, and the power of that flowed through me. There was no doubt about where I was going, and the feeling was freedom.

Obsessing over the “how” only gets in the way of progress. It makes us miss opportunities by getting hung up on every possible detour and worst-case scenario. The reality is, the chances of that worst-case scenario happening is slim to none. When there’s 99 alternative scenarios, that means there’s only a 1% chance that thing you’re most worried about is going to happen. Worrying about it only adds stress and anxiety. And there’s just as much chance that the best option can happen. By focusing on the next step, you can free yourself from this mental trap.

With intermittent fasting, it’s the same. We can get caught up in researching optimal schedules, meal plans, and potential side effects. But what if we just started with small, manageable changes? Small steps allow you to introduce fasting into your lifestyle and build confidence in your ability to succeed.

You can acknowledge the unknown and move forward anyway. You don’t need to have all the answers to start experiencing the benefits of intermittent fasting, or anything else in your life. It allows you to be open to the possibilities and trust the process. As you experiment and learn, you’ll know what other steps need to be taken.

With this mindset shift, you’ll approach life differently. Your goals and expectations will evolve, and you’ll take an active role in creating the life you desire. As you open yourself up to new paths and adapt, you’ll  see how valued and capable you are. You may not know exactly how you’ll reach your goals, but you can learn to trust in the unwavering faith that you will. This belief empowers you to actively shape your world, to set and achieve ever-evolving goals.