You know why ideas aren’t worth much? It’s not that they aren’t valuable, it’s that they are safe. Without risk. Unassailable in any meaningful way, like being against animal cruelty or proclaiming yourself a patriot.

You can see this safety at play in early stage companies. In a pre-revenue world, it’s all upside. Ideas are subjective and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All involved can trade on hope and vision. Once the customers (and dollars) come in, a line can be drawn — inflated ambitions become tougher to sustain. Valuation becomes a math problem. Mystique gives way to a spreadsheet.

As a creator, you have two options. Bask in the manufactured glow of your ideas or set them free, honestly, come what may. Not a crappy version of your idea, but the real idea, executed as best as you can, with the skills you have today. Doing less than your best is another form of reality avoidance — it gives your ego a trap door.

Action trades off the perfect idea in the future, for feedback today.

Your creation won’t be perfect. It will be less than you imagine, but at least you won’t be hiding anymore. At least you’ll know if it’s worth your life or not. Better yet, you won’t be guessing.

Once you realize that the struggle of bringing your idea to life is better than the comfort of talking about it, you will face the temptation to prepare — to get ready. You’ll launch the company once you’ve found the perfect co-founder. You’ll start the workout program after you've lost a few pounds. You’ll save for college as soon as you get a raise at work.

Let me save you the suspense. You'll never be ready. The time will never be perfect. In fact, without subjecting yourself to reality, ready is impossible. The skills you need can only be discovered through a collision with the world. Learn via necessity and in the process, strip away the noise. Let go of the concept of preparation and embrace action. You can prepare on the way.

Here is what you give up: The allure of a plan, the attractiveness of a grand scheme, and the story of a magical future yet to be.

Here is what you gain: Life.