Start Where You Are: Stop Waiting for the Perfect Version

What are you postponing because you can't have the final version yet? For years, we wanted an in-ground pool. It was always the vision. But for a long time, spending $60,000 on a pool didn't make sense—especially when my husband was active-duty military and we could potentially receive orders to move. So we bought cheap above-ground pools. Sometimes really freaking cheap ones. 😂 And during COVID, when the $150 pools we'd normally buy suddenly cost $400–$500? I found one for free on Craigslist. It had approximately 9 million holes in it. So I bought Flex Seal, painted the freaking liner, and we used it for the summer. Was it my dream pool? Absolutely not. But my kids had a pool. And eventually? We built the in-ground pool we'd envisioned all along. start where you are_transcript_… start where you are_transcript_… That's the lesson: You don't have to abandon the vision just because you can't have the final version today. Start where you are. Use what you have. Create the version that's available to you now. And leave room for the upgrade. Episode Breakdown (12+ minutes) 00:00 – 00:59 — Starting with what you've got 00:59 – 01:53 — Wanting an in-ground pool before it made financial sense 01:53 – 03:28 — COVID, Craigslist, Flex Seal, and the world's ugliest free pool 😂 03:28 – 04:32 — Keeping the big vision while working with what's feasible now 04:32 – 05:18 — The backyard vision: pergola, outdoor kitchen, screened porch—and freaking mosquitoes 05:18 – 06:22 — My $130 temporary screened-canopy solution 06:22 – 07:25 — Start where you are even when it isn't where you want to finish 07:25 – 08:17 — Why I already LOVE the imperfect version 08:17 – 09:14 — Where are you postponing your life waiting for the upgrade? 09:14 – 09:53 — Businesses, triathlon training on a beach cruiser, and my garage gym 09:53 – 10:51 — Getting started matters more than having everything at once 10:51 – 11:51 — Temporary does NOT mean settling 11:51 – 12:25 — How can you baby-step your big vision into reality today? Key Takeaways Your current resources don't have to match your ultimate vision before you begin. Being resourceful isn't the same thing as settling. A temporary solution can improve your life right now without becoming your permanent standard. Sometimes we stop dreaming because we can't immediately afford, create, or access the finished version. Getting started matters more than creating the perfect version. You can enjoy the journey while continuing to desire the upgrade. Starting small doesn't make your vision small. Your current version can be amazing and you can remain available for more. There is almost always a way to take one step toward the vision with what you have today. You don't need the entire dream to experience part of the feeling you're actually chasing. The question from this episode that I would really sit with is: "Where are you postponing indefinitely because it's not the final version of what you want?" start where you are_transcript_… Because THAT is bigger than a screened canopy. Temporary ≠ Settling This distinction is huge. You bought a $130 screened canopy. The ultimate vision might cost $30,000–$40,000. Someone could look at the temporary solution and say: "So you're settling?" Nope. The vision hasn't changed. You're simply refusing to postpone enjoying your backyard until the entire vision is financially or practically available. And you said something in the episode that captures this beautifully: The temporary solution is bringing you as much joy right now as you expect the finished version to bring. start where you are_transcript_… That's the deeper message. Stop postponing the feeling until you get the thing. Ready to Go Deeper? Maybe you know exactly what you want. But when you compare that vision to where you are today, the gap feels enormous. So you do... Nothing. That's where we start. What part of the vision is available now? What's the next step? What can you create with the resources you already have? How can we bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be without requiring you to leap the entire freaking gap today? That's the work. 👉 Learn more about working with me Connect With Me 📸 Instagram @stephaniesnyderphd 🌐 StephanieSnyderPhD.com 🎥 YouTube @stephaniesnyderphd SEO Keywords start where you are, start with what you have, stop waiting for perfect, imperfect action, how to get started, achieving big goals, personal growth, resourcefulness, enjoy the journey, progress over perfection, vision setting, high achiever mindset, personal development, take action, stop procrastinating