Ready, Willing, and Able

The journey to meaningful change isn't a straight line. It's not even a circle. It's more like a scribble drawn by a toddler – unpredictable, chaotic, and occasionally doubling back on itself.

Consider the man facing depression.

He might spend years in denial. "I'm not depressed, just tired." "Everyone feels this way sometimes." "I'll snap out of it."

Until something breaks the pattern – illness, job loss, divorce. The wake-up call that can no longer be ignored.

Being Ready is just the beginning

Readiness is that moment of clarity. The recognition that something needs to change. The admission that the current path isn't working.

But readiness alone is just potential energy. It's the boulder at the top of the hill, stationary despite its capacity for movement.

Willingness is where transformation begins

Willingness is the bridge between wanting change and creating it. It's the decision to push the boulder, knowing the journey downhill might be bumpy.

For our depressed man, willingness might look like making that first therapy appointment. Filling that first prescription. Having that first uncomfortable conversation with a partner about what's really going on.

Willingness is saying yes to discomfort for the sake of growth.

Ability completes the triangle

Being realistic about our ability to change isn't pessimism – it's pragmatism. It's acknowledging the constraints of our lives: time, energy, resources, competing priorities.

The man who decides to tackle his depression by immediately quitting his stressful job, starting an intensive daily therapy program, completely revamping his diet, and beginning a rigorous exercise regimen is setting himself up for failure.

Not because these aren't valuable changes. But because transformation isn't an all-at-once phenomenon.

making an honest self-assessment

Here's a simple but revealing exercise: On a scale of 1-10, rate your willingness to change. Then rate your ability to make that change right now.

If either number is below 7, pause.

What's holding you back? What fears remain unaddressed? What limiting beliefs are whispering that you can't do this?

Or perhaps you're attempting too much at once. Remember, you don't start training for a marathon by running 26.2 miles. You start with five minutes on the treadmill.

Aim smaller.

We've been taught to dream big. To shoot for the stars. To go all in.

But when it comes to personal transformation, grandiose goals often keep us stuck. They're so intimidating that we never start. Or we start but quickly abandon the effort when progress isn't immediate or linear.

Break down that intimidating change into its smallest possible component. Then cut that in half.

For our depressed man, it might be as simple as setting a timer for two minutes of mindfulness practice. Or taking a five-minute walk around the block. Or sending a text message to one friend.

These micro-actions might seem insignificant. They're not. They're the foundation of sustainable change.

finding accountability

Few of us can maintain momentum entirely on our own. We need someone to witness our commitment. To notice our progress. To gently redirect us when we stray from the path.

This could be a therapist, a coach, a friend, a partner. The specific relationship matters less than its function: to hold space for your transformation without judging your pace.

Taking the next step

Today, identify one small change you're ready for, willing to make, and realistically able to implement.

Not the complete transformation. Not the end result. Just the next right step.

Take it. Then take another.

This is how change actually happens. Not in dramatic leaps, but in deliberate steps that gradually reshape the landscape of your life.

One small win at a time.