Hurry Up And Wait?

Charlottesville

March 25, 2026

I received the following email this morning. It hit me like a 2x4 (although I have never been hit by a 2x4). In spite of changes I’ve made in my life, I still catch myself waiting — waiting for a sign, the “right time”, until I’ve completed my “thorough analysis.”

Remember — anchors up and jump right in!

From Dr. Kim Foster:

Most people spend their lives waiting…

Waiting to feel ready.

Waiting to feel confident.

Waiting for someone to say, “Yes, now is the moment.”

The problem is… that moment rarely comes.

Not because you’re incapable, but because most of us have been quietly trained to wait.

And before we know it, years have passed, and we’re wondering, “Why am I still in the same place?”

This is where a concept called high agency comes in…

What Is High Agency?

High agency is about how you respond when life doesn’t go the way you expected.

Picture two people facing the exact same difficult situation.

One spends their energy wishing things were different and hoping something will change.

The other starts experimenting with what’s available, even if the steps are clumsy or imperfect.

The difference between these two people? Agency.

Low agency people focus on what’s missing, unfair, or outside their control. 🙇

High agency people ask: Given this reality, what can I do with it? 🤔

It doesn’t mean pretending circumstances are easy. It just means refusing to sit in passive mode while waiting for them to improve.

Why So Many Of Us Struggle With Agency

Most of us were never taught agency. In fact, we were often trained in the opposite direction.

From a young age, we learn to follow instructions, wait our turn, and look to someone else for the next step.

Over time, that pattern becomes normal.

So when there’s no clear authority figure telling you what to do next, it can feel strangely uncomfortable, almost like you’re doing something wrong by moving first.

Why Building High Agency Is Crucial Right Now

The world is changing in a way that makes this skill more important than ever:

Clear paths are disappearing.

Careers are less linear.

Opportunities appear faster and vanish faster.

And in a world like that, waiting becomes risky.

Because if you’re always looking for permission, direction, or certainty… you can end up standing still while everything around you keeps moving.