Life Will Test You When You Decide to Start Your Podcast

Have you ever noticed that the minute you finally decide to go after something you really want, everything seems to go wrong?

You make the decision.

You set the goal.

You finally say, “Okay, I’m doing this.”

And then… life starts lifing.

Something happens at work. Your kids need you. Something unexpected comes up financially. You start doubting yourself. Your schedule gets crazy. Your mind starts telling you that maybe this isn't the right time.

And suddenly, that goal you were so excited about starts feeling impossible.

If you've ever experienced this, I want you to know something:

It doesn't necessarily mean you're on the wrong path.

Sometimes, the biggest challenge comes right after you decide to take action.

You Finally Decide to Go for It

I was thinking about this recently because I had just started working with a new cohort of women who are launching their podcasts.

During our welcome and mindset call, I wanted to make sure they understood something that I have learned over and over again in my own life:

Once you decide to go after a goal, don't be surprised when life tests you.

You decide you're going to start the business.

Life happens.

You decide you're finally going to start your podcast.

Life happens.

You decide you're going to pitch yourself for that speaking opportunity.

Life happens.

You decide you're going to write the book you've been talking about for years.

Life happens.

It's almost like the moment you make the decision, you are going to be tested to see how badly you actually want it.

And I'm not saying that everything that happens is some cosmic test or that every difficult thing has a deeper meaning.

Sometimes life is simply life.

But I am saying that challenges are inevitable.

The question is: What are you going to do when they show up?

Your Mind Can Become Your Biggest Enemy

I’ve wrote about this recently on Threads - how truly my mind can be my biggest enemy because one of the things I've noticed in my own life is that sometimes the biggest resistance isn't even what's happening around me.

It's what's happening inside my head.

The minute I set a new goal, it’s like my brain does a complete switch on me. 

Who do you think you are?

Do you really think you can do that?

Wouldn't it be easier to just stay where you are?

Do you really need to add one more thing to your life?

Maybe you should just give up.

But I've learned that having those thoughts doesn't mean I have to believe them.

Sometimes confidence comes because you started.

I Learned This on the Way to a Business Conference

I remember going to one of my first business conferences and hearing someone talk about how life can throw something at you right before you're about to do something that could move you to the next level.

And I remember thinking, Okay, let's see.

Well… apparently life wanted to make sure I understood the lesson.

On my way to the conference, I was stopped at a traffic light. I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been, and my car started moving.

I ended up lightly tapping the car in front of me.

Thankfully, nothing happened. It was such a small tap that there wasn't any damage.

But I was completely shook.

I remember thinking, What is wrong with me?

I called my husband and told him what happened. He asked if I was okay and even asked if I wanted to turn around and go home.

But I didn't.

I kept going.

I went to the conference, and I ended up having a great time.

And no, I'm not saying hitting someone's bumper is some magical sign that you're about to level up. 😂

But I remember that moment because it reminded me that something can happen that makes you want to stop—and you still get to choose to keep going.

Pay Attention to the Pattern

Think about your own life.

Have there been moments when you decided you were finally going to do something, and suddenly you were hit with challenge after challenge?

Maybe you decided you were going to start your business.

Then your schedule got crazy.

Maybe you decided you were going to start your podcast.

Then you started questioning whether anyone would listen.

Maybe you decided you were going to pitch yourself for a speaking opportunity.

Then imposter syndrome showed up.

Maybe you decided you were finally going to write the book.

Then you suddenly convinced yourself you weren't qualified.

Look back.

Is there a pattern?

I'm not saying every obstacle means you need to push through. Sometimes an obstacle really is telling you that you need to change your plan.

But sometimes the obstacle is simply asking:

Are you really committed to this?

Because it's easy to say you want something when everything is going well.

It's much harder to continue when things aren't going according to plan.

That's where commitment comes in.

Starting a Podcast Requires Action

This is especially true when you're thinking about starting a podcast.

I talk to women all the time who tell me:

“I want to start a podcast.”

And then they give me all the reasons they haven't started.

They don't know what equipment to buy.

They don't know how to edit.

They don't know which podcast hosting platform to use.

They don't know what to talk about.

They don't know how to name the podcast.

They don't know how to get people to listen.

And I completely understand.

There is a LOT that goes into launching a podcast.

But here's the thing:

You don't need to know everything before you start.

You need to be willing to learn.

You need to be willing to take action.

And you need to be willing to figure things out as you go.

That's exactly why I created my V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course.

The goal is to take the overwhelming parts of podcasting and simplify them so you can actually get your podcast out into the world.

The course walks you through things like your podcast vision and goals, equipment, recording and editing software, podcast hosting, podcast SEO, episode planning, and more.

Because sometimes what you really need isn't more information.

You need a roadmap.

You Don't Have to Do It Alone

One of the things that stood out to me in a testimonial from Monika, who worked with me during my VIP Podcast Launch Day, was that she said I made something that felt overwhelming feel simple.

She also talked about how having support and accountability helped her stop overthinking and actually take action.

And THAT is one of the reasons I love coaching. Because sometimes you don't need someone to do everything for you.

You just need someone who can say:

“Okay. Here's the next step.”

Then you take it.

Then we figure out the next one. Then you take that one too. That's how you build something.

One step at a time.

You Don't Need to Be Perfect to Start

I think we sometimes make our goals harder than they need to be because we believe we have to be ready.

We think we need the perfect website.

The perfect logo.

The perfect equipment.

The perfect business plan.

The perfect confidence.

The perfect schedule.

The perfect time.

But perfection isn't what gets you to your goal.

Action does.

You can improve as you go.

Your podcast will evolve.

Your business will evolve.

Your messaging will evolve.

And honestly, you will evolve.

That's part of the process.

So What Do You Do When Life Starts Lifing?

When you've decided to go after something and suddenly everything feels harder, pause.

Take a breath.

Look at what's actually happening.

Then ask yourself:

Is this a reason to stop, or is this simply something I need to work through?

Those are two very different things.

Maybe you need to adjust your timeline.

Maybe you need to ask for help.

Maybe you need to simplify your plan.

Maybe you need to rest.

Or maybe you simply need to keep going.

Don't let one difficult day convince you that you made the wrong decision.

Don't let one setback become the reason you abandon a goal you've been thinking about for years.

And definitely don't let the voice in your head convince you that you aren't capable.

Keep Going Anyway

If you have been thinking about starting a podcast, starting a business, writing the book, pitching yourself, creating the thing, or finally going after the goal you've been putting off, this is your reminder:

Life is going to happen.

There will be unexpected problems.

There will be doubt.

There will be days when you question yourself.

There will be moments when quitting sounds so much easier.

But you get to decide what happens next.

Set the intention.

Take the action.

Adjust when you need to.

Ask for help when you need it.

And keep going.

Because sometimes the goal isn't to prove that life won't get in your way.

The goal is to prove to yourself that you can keep moving even when it does.

And if starting a podcast is one of those goals you've been putting off, maybe it's time to stop waiting for the perfect moment.

Maybe it's time to just start.

Con mucho amor,

Coach Heidy