One month of Substack

TL;DR: do things before you’re ready

When I reflect on my life, many of the most meaningful things I’ve done, I did before I felt “ready.”

Take Rosie, for example. For those of you who don’t know, Rosie is my little Maltese puppy that I adore. I brought her home in February 2020, right in the middle of my second year of Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. People thought I was crazy. Honestly, I thought I might be crazy. I was still in the office, barely had time to sleep, and had no idea how I’d manage a puppy.

But then the world changed. COVID hit. Everything stopped. And suddenly, Rosie became my built-in best friend through a time of total uncertainty and heartbreak. My original plan was to wait until July, after I finished my two analyst years. But I got her early. I wasn’t ready. And it turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined.

That same thing happened when I left San Francisco for HBS. And again, when I crossed the river (hi, Cambridge) to start the JD/MBA program. I wasn’t “ready” for any of it.

But here’s what I’ve learned: waiting until you’re ready is usually just fear in disguise. And sometimes, waiting for “ready” means waiting forever.

The most recent example? This Substack. Writing twice a week while in 1L felt like a lot—too much, maybe. I told myself I’d wait until summer. But deep down, I knew that if I didn’t start now, I might never start at all. So I did. And I haven’t looked back.

I’ve leaned into my curiosity.
I’ve pushed myself to share more openly.
I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone by telling the world I want to write a book—and using this newsletter as my path there.

It’s equal parts vulnerable and energizing, but it’s also the best accountability mechanism I’ve ever had.

With that being said, here are 6 lessons I’ve learned in this first month:

1. Starting is the hard part, but it gets easier
   I spent a lot of time thinking about writing publicly before I ever hit publish. The truth is, momentum builds once you start. Each post feels less daunting than the last.

2. Writing forces clarity
   It’s one thing to think you understand something. It’s another to put it into words. Writing helps me refine my thoughts and deepen what I’m learning.

3. Done > perfect
   If I waited until every post was polished to perfection, I’d never publish anything. I have to remind myself: this isn’t school. There’s no grade. Good enough really is enough.

4. Inspiration is everywhere (if you pay attention)
   I’ve started noticing things I want to write about everywhere—in conversations, podcasts, even everyday moments I used to overlook. Writing has made me more observant, curious, and present.

5. Shamelessly self-promoting is part of it
   Getting people to subscribe takes effort, and let me tell you this: it doesn’t happen by being passive. I’ve had to let go of the fear of being “cringe.” Asking someone to subscribe at a gala? Why not!

6. I have the most supportive friends
   This wouldn’t be half as fulfilling without the people cheering me on. Thanks for the love, the encouragement, and every kind message (pictured above). It means the world.

We’re all about celebrating the small wins over here—and hitting 100 subscribers in my first month feels like a big one. Here’s to month two! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for following along.

Until Sunday,
Taylor

P.S. If you're thinking about starting something and don’t feel quite ready, consider this your sign. Trust me on this.