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July 29, 2025 How To

From comfort zone to clam shucking: How to create opportunities even before you feel ready

By Alexander Hitchen, Press for Success

I didn’t plan to enter an amateur shucking contest at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. But when the call went out for volunteers and the crowd stood silent, I stepped forward. I didn’t win any prizes. In fact, I barely managed one and a half clams, but I ended up on the front page of the local paper, simply because I raised my hand.

Alexander Hitchen of Press for Success
Photo / Courtesy of Press for Success
Alexander Hitchen

That moment reminded me of something I see all the time in business: visibility and momentum often start before you feel ready.

Whether you’re promoting a service, pitching your story or aiming for a leadership role, growth rarely comes from waiting. It comes from participation.

In working with small business owners, entrepreneurs and experts — and through our community at Press for Success — I’ve found one thing to be consistently true: you create more opportunities by stepping forward than by sitting back. 

Here’s how to turn that idea into practical action.

‘Start with small ‘yeses’

Most breakthroughs start much smaller than we imagine. Say yes to a podcast interview, a local panel, a pop-up event or something you might normally talk yourself out of for lack of preparation. These low-stakes, high-visibility moments are often where relationships, clients or press opportunities begin.

Try this: Once a month, pick one invitation or idea you would normally decline and go for it instead. One small “yes” can start real momentum.

Reframe failure as fuel

The clam contest wasn’t a win on paper, but it sparked conversations, new connections and a story I still tell. I’ve seen the same thing happen for clients: taking action, even imperfectly, leads to valuable feedback, visibility and engagement.

Try this: Think back to a moment when something went sideways, but still moved your business or visibility forward. Then ask yourself what did I learn that I can use next time?

Practice imperfect participation

You don’t need a flawless pitch or perfectly worked-out message to make an impact. What people remember is that you showed up. In a world full of noise, consistency and presence matter more than polish.

Try this: Join the conversation, raise your hand at a talk, comment publicly with your perspective. Just participate, even before you feel 100% ready.

Celebrate progress, not perfection

We often aim for polished launches, stunning campaigns and redesigned websites. But the best moments of traction I’ve seen, whether in my own business or my clients’, usually come from unplanned, unpolished presence. That off-the-cuff panel appearance, last-minute media pitch or podcast interview is often where the good stuff begins.

Try this: Each month, write down one positive thing that happened in your business or career simply because you showed up. Build proof for yourself that progress doesn’t have to be perfectly planned.

The mistake many of us make is thinking we need to wait until we’re better prepared, more confident, or more ready. But most real opportunities don’t wait for perfect timing. They respond to action.

Raise your hand 

No one is going to wave a flag and call you out of the crowd. You have to raise your hand.

So yes, next time there’s a mic, a meeting, a moment or even a clam shucking contest, consider stepping forward. Don’t worry about being the best-prepared person in the room.

You just need to be there. You just need to be willing. Because participation creates momentum. Every time.
 

About the author

Alexander Hitchen, a former senior editor at the New York Daily News, Bauer Media and Mail Online, can be reached alexander@pressforsuccess.com. He and his wife, Sabina Hitchen, co-lead Press for Success, a South Portland-based media consultancy and public relations platform for entrepreneurs.
 

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