One of the most paralyzing myths in online entrepreneurship is the belief that you must be exceptional before you begin. The perfect website, a huge audience, a polished product—these illusions of readiness often stop creators before they even start. But as Zig Ziglar so wisely put it,

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

This quote speaks directly to the heart of every digital product builder, course creator, and solopreneur who has sat in analysis paralysis. The truth is: greatness is not a prerequisite for action; it’s the result of it. And in the online world, action beats perfection every time.

Why Waiting for “Great” Kills Momentum

Online business moves fast. Trends shift, platforms evolve, and attention spans shrink. If you’re waiting to launch your course until every module is perfect or holding back your website until every pixel aligns, you’re missing the real advantage of the digital world: speed and iteration.

Consider this: some of the most successful creators started with a scrappy idea and refined it publicly. Their first YouTube videos were awkward. Their first eBooks had typos. Their first coaching clients got a discount because they were part of a beta test. What set them apart wasn’t initial greatness; it was courage and consistency.

The Creator’s Advantage: Learning in Public

Online creators have a unique edge. You can publish in real-time, gather feedback instantly, and adjust as you grow. This “learn in public” model is the creator’s secret weapon. You get better by doing. Your first product doesn’t have to scale. Your first subscriber might be your mom. But you build from there.

By starting before you’re “ready,” you also unlock something more valuable than polish: authenticity. People resonate with real stories. They connect with progress. When you share your journey—including the messy parts—you build trust, and trust is the currency of online business.

Action Plan: How to Start Without Being Great

Here are a few practical ways to lean into this mindset today:

  1. Launch a Beta Version: Whether it’s a course, membership, or template, invite your audience into a test run. They’ll give you feedback and become your first evangelists.
  2. Share the Journey: Post updates, behind-the-scenes, and even failures. Documenting builds connection.
  3. Set a Deadline: Choose a date to publish, no matter what. Done is better than perfect.
  4. Invest in MVPs: Minimum Viable Products aren’t just lean—they’re smart. Start small, test big.
  5. Reframe Mistakes as Milestones: Every flaw is a data point. Every stumble is part of the story.

Greatness Isn’t Found, It’s Forged

If you’re building an online business, don’t wait for greatness to show up. Make a move. Publish the blog post, launch the offer, start the podcast. Your audience isn’t waiting for perfect—they’re waiting for you.

So today, take that first step. Even if it’s messy, small, or unseen. Because greatness isn’t something you need before you begin. It’s what you earn by beginning.

Start now. Greatness comes later.

(This post was created using my ‘Quote To action’ GPT which you can get for free here.)