Most of the time, the biggest obstacle between where you are and where you want to be isn’t outside of you. It’s you. Your doubt. Your excuses. Your fear of failure. Your need for everything to be perfect before you begin.

We all do it — overthinking the next move, holding back on what we truly want, playing small to avoid discomfort. It’s easy to blame circumstances, timing, or other people, but deep down, we know the truth. We stall our own progress more than anything else ever could.

Getting in your own way looks like waiting for permission. It looks like setting unrealistic standards, and then quitting when they’re not met. It looks like convincing yourself you’re not ready, not qualified, or not good enough — even when you are.

But here’s the truth: the version of you that moves forward doesn’t need everything to be certain. They just need to get out of their own way.

That means taking the risk. Saying yes before you feel completely prepared. Sticking with it when momentum fades. It means replacing self-criticism with self-discipline, and trading fear for action.

Progress comes when you stop letting your thoughts talk you out of your potential. When you start moving despite the noise. When you decide to support yourself instead of sabotaging every step forward.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to stop blocking your own path.

Step aside. Get out of your way. Then move.