“We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Get There?” — What If There’s No Bridge?

“We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Get There?” — What If There’s No Bridge?

Why delaying preparation delays success.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” It sounds practical. Calm. Reassuring.

But far too often, when “there” arrives —

There is no bridge. No plan. No readiness. No foundation. Just a big, gaping river of panic.

And by the time people realize it, the bus has left, and they're stuck looking for a raft they never built.

The Myth of "Later"

People brush aside things that are:

• Tedious

• Time-consuming

• Uncomfortable

• Or uncertain

They say, “Let’s not overthink. We’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

Here’s the problem:

Life doesn’t pause while you figure it out. Opportunities don’t wait while you assemble your toolkit.

In the real world, you don’t get to cross unless you build first.

What They Don’t Tell You About “The Bridge”

That metaphorical bridge?

It's not ready-made.

You build it as you go — brick by brick, skill by skill, decision by decision.

• That negotiation you skipped rehearsing for? It’s tomorrow.

• That big pitch you postponed preparing? The client just said yes.

• That tough conversation you’ve been avoiding? It’s on your desk now.

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The bridge doesn’t magically appear when the moment arrives. 

You construct it beforehand.

Why Most Miss the Bus

• They wait for “clarity” instead of creating it

• They avoid discomfort instead of facing it

• They delay learning hard things until it’s too late

• They underestimate timelines and overestimate their readiness

Meanwhile, those who prepare — even when it’s hard —

Walk in with confidence Solve faster Recover quicker And often get the seat before the bus fills

What You Can Do Instead:

• Anticipate the ask – What will be required tomorrow that I can start today?

• Swallow the frog – Tackle the tough tasks when they’re still optional

• Get uncomfortable early – That’s the training ground of growth

• Practice proactive thinking – Preparation isn’t paranoia. It’s power.

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Final Thought

Bridges are not built in the moment of crossing. They’re built in the moments of discipline, effort, and foresight.

So the next time you say,

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there…”

Ask yourself: 

Will I be ready to cross… or forced to build from scratch?

Because in the race of life, 

Preparation doesn’t slow you down — it saves you from sinking.