Fence‑sitting drains your energy … and those splinters can be painful. And the real exhaustion comes from postponing your goal or dream … and your legacy feels that.
It’s a #1 problem! We all love and hate fence‑sitting … the waiting for the stars to align, our boss or family to give permission, or to have enough time or money. The truth is … perfectionism, ego, and judging others are the real culprits that get in the way of achieving our goals. These fears keep us trapped on the fence feeling comfortable.
Making a commitment to honor our goals and taking actions can be invigorating.
You may be thinking, “Well … I did take action … but …”
- The Remy Effect. I have a 13‑pound ginger cat who loves to meet others in the hallway – including dogs. But when a person comes into our home, he runs and hides. Many of you behave in a similar fashion. You’re fearless until you allow fear to dominate you.
- Facts versus false information. Yes, there is a lot of false information out there. The challenge is it’s often more comfortable to believe the falsehood and deny the truth. (Example: hiring assessments … many will claim the assessment they are using is validated for pre‑employment and selection use, when in fact, it is not.)
- Failure to do ‘complete’ work. Doing just enough will keep you from enjoying the intended results of your legacy. Or you do too much without asking for help! There is a sweet spot for doing what needs to be done without driving yourself crazy and annoying others.
Example: I talked with a successful consultant who had bought books from friends who wanted to become published authors. “The problem,” he lamented, “is that most of these books are poorly written, lack proper editing, and use pictures, layouts, and covers that leave a lot to be desired.” Hiring a book coach would have created a much better legacy!
What’s missing that keeps us on the fence and hold us back?
- Awareness of Job Fit. Some people become wealthy by doing the work required in their nicely paid, but not overpaid, job. While others keep attempting to take on careers they believe will make them wealthy faster. Their job or career pursuits are misaligned with their natural interests, thinking styles, and core behaviors. Hire the right coach, take a qualified job‑fit assessment, and write your own resume (AI doesn’t know the difference between truth and fiction)!
- Using Your Ingenuity. I continue to be impressed by the ingenuity of people. Some people are rockstars … while others could be rockstars if they stopped trying to mimic others. This is key … we have emotional attachments to mimicking others, often to our own detriment. Get clear. Get real. Get in focused action.
- Doing the Work Required. Many people love the idea of sharing their opinions, but not doing the real work required for results. For example: They start a podcast believing they will make a lot of money, only to realize it was another shiny object that distracted them. Learn the art of skill-stacking.
Your legacy demands commitment. Commitment requires action. Your resilience is what keeps you moving forward! Take the actions that will move you off that seemingly comfortable proverbial fence and enjoy your results.
©Jeannette Seibly 2026 All Rights Reserved
Jeannette Seibly is a Leadership Results Coach, Talent Advisor, and Business Author with 33 years of experience activating greatness in leaders and companies. She delivers practical coaching and solutions that elevate performance today, build legacies that stand the test of time, and support people in empowering themselves to lead with clarity and impact.
It’s time to honor your commitment and stop fence-sitting. Learn how to seize the time now to take actions that support your legacy and goals. Contact me for a confidential conversation.