Awareness Shows You the Work. Willingness Picks Up the Shovel.
In the last post, we talked about awareness—the ability to see what’s really there, including the hard truths about yourself, your patterns, and your circumstances.
But awareness alone doesn’t change anything.
You can see the problem clearly. You can understand what needs to shift. But if you’re not willing to take the next step—to do the uncomfortable thing, to practice the new behavior, to take the risk—nothing moves.
Willingness is the bridge between knowing and doing.
And it’s one of the most powerful building blocks you can develop.
The Moment I Had to Choose Willingness Over Comfort
Early in my banking and fintech career, I was ready for a change. I’d been getting great feedback from leaders on special testing programs I was involved in, and they encouraged me to “go for it.”
One of my friends had already taken the leap—moved to Delaware to work in a different department. When I was in Delaware for training, I started to think: Maybe I could do this too.
Then a posting appeared: a full-time QA tester role on a team building a project I had actually suggested in a Voice of Associate survey. I applied. I interviewed. And then the recruiter called.
The job was mine.
But.
The role had been moved to North Carolina. Not Delaware.
Talk about a punch to the gut.
I was ready for change. I was ready to take a risk. But it was supposed to be a calculated risk—to Delaware, where my friend was, where I’d been training. Now the game had changed.
I didn’t know anyone in North Carolina. My sister lived there, but she was four hours away—not exactly a quick drive.
I was already aware I needed a change to shift my path. Now I had to step into willingness.
So I negotiated for more money. And I moved myself 1,100 miles away from home.
We don’t know what the outcome will be in the moment. But we have to be willing to walk through the pros and cons and make the decision that moves us in the right direction.
For me. Taking that risk was the best decision of my life, putting me on a path I never knew was possible, and 10 years later, that friend in Delaware, moved to North Carolina. Even when scary, if we are willing to show up and take that chance, it could lead to amazing possibilities.
What Unwillingness Looks Like
Most of the time, people who are willing but don’t know how will seek out coaching—from licensed coaches, mentors, or trusted confidants.
Some who are on the fence will start seeking help after being coached or after uncomfortable circumstances force their hand.
But the most unwilling are either:
- Still lacking in awareness (they don’t see the problem yet), or
- Scared because of past circumstances—and let’s face it, change is scary.
Example:
The person who knows their relationship is toxic but stays because companionship fulfills a basic need. It’s easier. It’s familiar. Even though they know it’s not right.
Or the person who says they want a promotion but won’t ask for feedback, take on stretch assignments, or practice the skills the role requires. They want the outcome—but not enough to put in the effort.
Only you can make the decision to embrace the changes necessary to achieve your goals.
And sometimes, taking the first step is the hardest. But after that? You become more resilient. The next obstacle gets a little easier. The next step feels a little more natural.
Willingness vs. “Fake It Till You Make It”
Let’s clear something up.
“Faking it” sounds like you’re pretending—temporarily performing until you get caught or until something clicks.
But here’s the truth: Faking it until you become it is actually practice.
When you intentionally emulate the actions of what you want to be, you’re not faking—you’re building your skill base. You’re adding to your foundation. And over time, those actions become natural. You stop “faking” because you’ve practiced your way into competence.
That’s why willingness is the superpower.
You’re willing to practice even when it feels awkward. You’re willing to take the rep even when you don’t feel ready. And through those reps, you become the thing you were reaching for.
Willingness as a Bridge
If you’re aware of what needs to be done, then being willing to put in the practice and effort—those intentional moments—walks you across the bridge from where you are to where you’re going.
Example:
Let’s say you’re someone who closes up emotionally and struggles to be vulnerable. You know this limits your relationships and your leadership.
So you practice. You start small—with someone you trust. You open up a little more. You share something real.
It feels uncomfortable at first. But the more often you do it, the easier it becomes. And eventually, you learn that you can walk a line—a boundary—of how far you want to open up, depending on the person and the circumstances.
That’s the great thing about becoming more aware and willing: you start to see you have more control than you thought.
You’re not at the mercy of your patterns. You’re actively shaping them.
A Simple Willingness Practice
Here’s a question to sit with:
Is there something you’re aware you need to do—but you haven’t reached the willingness phase yet?
Use the awareness exercise from Part 1:
- What’s the thing I’m avoiding?
- Why does it feel uncomfortable or difficult?
- What would it take, in my own world, to do it?
- Is this something I actually want—or am I reacting to someone else’s idea of success?
Then brainstorm a few different ways you might take one small step toward that uncomfortable thing.
Maybe it’s:
- Sending the email you’ve been drafting for weeks.
- Asking a mentor or trusted colleague for honest feedback.
- Saying yes to one stretch assignment even though you’re not sure you’re ready.
- Having the hard conversation you’ve been avoiding.
- Making one financial decision that requires short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.
Pick one. Try it. See what happens.
Because willingness isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being ready—even when you’re scared.
Willingness + Boundaries = Empowerment
When you practice willingness, you also learn where your boundaries are.
You learn:
- How much you’re willing to stretch before you need to protect your energy.
- Which risks are worth taking and which aren’t aligned with your values.
- When to say yes and when to say no—both with intention.
Willingness doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means being ready to engage with the decision consciously, to weigh it, and to choose your next step with clarity.
That’s not weakness. That’s power.
Final Thought
Awareness is the foundation. But willingness is the bridge.
It’s the superpower that turns knowing into doing. It’s the muscle you build one uncomfortable rep at a time. And over time, those reps don’t just make you more capable—they make you more resilient, more confident, and more aligned with the life you actually want.
So ask yourself today:
What am I willing to do—even if it scares me—to move toward the success I define?
Next up: Part 3 – Values: Your True Compass
Because once you’re willing to act, you need to know which direction to move in.
Authentic Evolution Journey 