Performers have all sorts of doubts. Improvisers like me feel it pretty deeply. Just before hitting the stage here’s what’s in my head…

I’m going to look stupid.
They’re going to laugh at me.
I’m not going to do this right.
I’m going to let everyone else down.

Sound familiar?

When I let doubt get in the way of action I accomplish nothing. I wind up avoiding the task at hand. I need to reply to that email, but I doubt their reaction. I want to start my own business, but I doubt my qualifications. I ought to talk to that cute chick over there, but I doubt my conversation skills.

Right?

We take ourselves too seriously, don’t we? It’s all bullshit. We just have to jump in.

Second City founder Del Close used to stand just off of the stage when he was about to perform and, the second before he went on stage, he’d do his trademark “fuck it adjustment.” He’d shake himself, say “fuck it” and walk out onto the stage.

He was the father of American Improv for a reason. He was good. And part of his goodness was this adjustment. To put it another way, one reason he was good was that he developed a way to blow past his doubt and onto the stage. Beyond the doubt, his genius had free rein to run wild.

When we see our doubts before us and we let them get in the way, it kills our momentum, kills our efforts and ultimately kills our dreams. We have to make a decision to go for it, now, right now. There is no such thing as a “better time” to do what you want. There is no such thing as a good reason to wait. Make a decision, jump in, and make whatever happens fit your plan.

Even if you don’t know quite what you’re doing, jump in anyway. Remember: the only thing that’s important is that you tried. That’s more than most people ever do.