Why you should act on your creative instincts before it’s too late.

Have you ever had a brilliant idea but hesitated to act on it, only to see someone else bring it to life? It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Today, January 1st, 2025, I learned this lesson the hard way.

The Missed Opportunity

Indeed, time steals ideas. For months, I’d been sitting on a beautiful content idea. It was creative, unique, and full of potential, but I didn’t take action. Why? I had a list of excuses:

• I’m not popular enough for it to gain traction.
• My engagement rate isn’t where it should be.
• What if it doesn’t get the response I hoped for?

So, I kept putting it off.

This morning, I opened Instagram, and there it was—my idea, or at least something remarkably close to it. A creator with a larger following had executed it perfectly. Their post was amazing, and I felt genuinely happy for them. But I also couldn’t ignore the shame and regret creeping in.

If only I had acted sooner, this could have been my project. Now, even if I try to execute the idea, it might come across as me copying their work. That’s not inherently bad—building on existing ideas is common—but I still wish I’d had the courage to act when the idea first came to me.

What I Learned

This experience taught me a powerful lesson: Never let fear or excuses stop you from acting on an idea. Here’s why:

1. Ideas are time-sensitive. If you wait too long, someone else might bring your vision to life before you do.
2. Fear of failure is worse than failure itself. The regret of not trying weighs far heavier than the disappointment of an idea that doesn’t succeed.
3. Perfection isn’t a requirement. You don’t need a huge following, high engagement, or perfect conditions to take action.

Your Next Step

If you’ve been sitting on an idea, consider this your sign to take the first step. Start small if you need to, but start. You never know which idea will lead to your breakthrough.

Final Thoughts

The next time inspiration strikes, act on it. Don’t let fear of imperfection or failure hold you back. The opportunity to try is more valuable than you think, and even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll never regret the effort.

Have you ever hesitated on an idea and regretted it later? I’d love to hear your story—share it in the comments below!

Are you lost? Scared of taking bold steps in your career or business? I am here to help, Schedule a free first session with me here or reach me on LinkedIn here.