Honestly, there's no magic formula for knowing when you've done enough homework—wish there was. I've seen folks who crunch numbers till they're blue in the face and still second-guess themselves. For me, it's about hitting that point where more research isn't giving you new insights, just repeating what you already know. At that stage, it's probably time to trust your gut and make a call...even if it feels uncomfortable.
"it's about hitting that point where more research isn't giving you new insights, just repeating what you already know."
Haha, this reminds me of when I was debating leaving my cushy corporate gig to start my own practice. Spent weeks buried in spreadsheets, pros-and-cons lists, and endless coffee refills. Eventually, I realized I was just rearranging the same info in prettier fonts. At some point, you gotta accept that no amount of number crunching will predict the future...and just take the leap. Worked out alright for me—knock on wood—but man, those first few months were nerve-wracking.
Totally relate to this. Reminds me of when I was debating leaving my safe 9-to-5 to dive into real estate full-time. I kept telling myself I needed more market data, more client leads, more savings...but eventually, I realized I was just stalling because the unknown scared me. There’s always gonna be a point where research stops being helpful and becomes a crutch, ya know? Sure, it’s smart to plan and prepare, but at some point you gotta trust your gut and just go for it. And honestly, even if things don’t go exactly as planned (and they probably won’t), you’ll learn so much from the journey itself that it’ll still be worth it. Sounds cliché, but the regret of not trying usually hits harder than dealing with a little uncertainty.
Definitely get what you're saying, but I'd also add there's value in setting clear financial benchmarks before diving in. When I transitioned into mortgage brokering, I set specific targets for emergency savings and client pipeline before pulling the trigger. Didn't eliminate the uncertainty (nothing does), but it gave me enough confidence to push through the rough patches. Trusting your gut is key, but pairing it with some concrete goals can make the leap a little less daunting...at least in my experience.
You make a solid point about benchmarks, but honestly, sometimes focusing too much on financial targets can hold you back. When I bought my first home, I obsessed over having the 'perfect' savings cushion and almost missed out on a great opportunity. At some point, you have to accept that no amount of prep completely removes risk. Gut instinct counts for more than people realize—sometimes you just gotta trust yourself enough to jump, even if the numbers aren't perfectly lined up.
