If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my tenure as both employee and CEO, it’s that waiting for the “right time” in business can be a costly mistake. Whether in my journey as an entrepreneur or in facing serious health challenges, I’ve seen firsthand how uncertainty often creates the exact conditions for growth and success. Early in my career, I too hesitated at times — believing that stability or more favorable personal and professional circumstances would make the path clearer or easier. But I quickly realized that waiting for “perfect” conditions is a form of self-sabotage.
In both business and life, the truth is that uncertainty is the only constant. Whether it was growing my business while managing an AFib diagnosis or making pivotal company decisions during economic downturns, some of the best opportunities emerged when things felt most unstable. It’s when we lean into uncertainty, rather than shy away from it, that we find new possibilities, build resilience, and move forward in ways we never thought possible.
Don’t believe me? Below are the top five reasons why you shouldn’t wait to start your business or make that next bold career move.
1. Disruption Creates Opportunity
In times of change, the rules shift, and new opportunities emerge. When faced with uncertainty, markets evolve, and gaps open up that didn’t exist before. If you’re willing to act quickly, you can be the first to take advantage. When I started my own business, the landscape was anything but predictable (thank you, 2012 recession), yet that unpredictability became an advantage. The same can be true whether you’re launching a product, starting a company or making a career move.
Tip: Focus on where the pain points are changing. What needs have emerged that didn’t exist before? These gaps could become the foundation of your new venture or career leap.
2. Reduced Competition
One of the benefits of acting during uncertain times is that many people tend to hold back, waiting for things to settle. This creates a window of reduced competition, both in business and in the job market. People around you — whether in your field or even those close to you — might try to dissuade you from jumping into the unknown, urging caution over action. I’ve faced similar advice, but what I soon realized is that acting when others are cautious doesn’t just help you get ahead — it gives you a distinct advantage. You can claim space in the market before the crowd catches up, positioning yourself for success while most are still waiting on the sidelines.
Tip: Leverage this period to move faster and smarter than your competitors, whether you’re starting a business or pursuing a career opportunity that might otherwise be more competitive.
3. Faster Innovation and Empowerment
Periods of uncertainty compel us to innovate, and, as leaders, we must guide our teams through these challenges. When the ground shifts beneath us, it’s an opportunity for creativity and growth —not just for ourselves, but for our teams as well. My journey as an entrepreneur with AFib taught me the importance of rethinking how I allocate my time and energy, which led to a crucial lesson in delegation. By recognizing that I couldn’t do it all myself, I empowered my team to take ownership of their roles, driving innovation and responsiveness in ways I hadn’t anticipated. By trusting your team to tackle challenges and explore new ideas, you not only boost their confidence but also cultivate a culture of agility and creativity.
Tip: Embrace flexibility and the art of delegation. When you empower your team, you create a space where innovation can thrive, turning uncertainty into a springboard for success.
4. Build Resilience and Reputation
When you take bold steps during uncertain times, you develop a reputation for resilience. This isn’t just about surviving; it’s about proving you can thrive when others are struggling. In business and in life, it’s often our ability to adapt and push forward that defines us. My journey through entrepreneurship, and even my health journey, has taught me that resilience is a key differentiator, a cornerstone of my entrepreneurial integrity — and it’s something people remember and ask about to this day.
Tip: Position your pitch around how you’ve faced challenges head-on, both in business and personal growth. This will not only enhance your credibility, but also inspire confidence in clients, partners, and employers.
5. There’s No ‘Perfect’ Time
I’ve seen too many people, myself included at times, fall into the trap of waiting for the perfect moment to make a move. Waiting for the stock market to improve. Waiting for a certain number in the savings account. Waiting for family to look a certain way. The reality? That moment never comes. Life will always throw challenges at you, and if you keep waiting for the dust to settle, for that perfect moment to arrive, you’ll miss out on the best opportunities. I’ve learned that the only way to move forward is to just start — imperfectly, sometimes chaotically, but always with intention.
Tip: Start where you are, with what you have. The momentum you build today will carry you forward and prepare you for whatever comes next, regardless of how uncertain the times may be.
The world will never offer you the perfect time; there’s no such thing. But when you take decisive action despite the unknowns, you position yourself to thrive in ways that staying in your comfort zone could never offer. Embrace the uncertainty, make your move, and trust that the steps you take today will lead to something far greater than the security you’re waiting for. Don’t just survive — use this moment to build, grow and excel in ways that only those brave enough to act will ever experience.
Jim Kaveney is all heart. In 2012, Kaveney founded Alkemy Partners (a Life Sciences Learning and Performance company that was ranked by Inc 5000 in 2019 and 2020 before achieving acquisition in 2020 by EVERSANA™) and he is currently the founder of Unlimited Heart Health & Wellness — a collaborative organization of healthcare professionals accelerating cardiac innovation. After years of balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with his own growing cardiac issues, Jim Kaveney, M.S., has turned his pain into a purpose to become an expert in navigating the burgeoning worlds of digital therapeutics, global startup initiatives, and the mindset training required to tackle the pillars of a holistic work-health-faith-family-life balance.
