There’s a concept in the marketing world called the soft launch. Soft launching is releasing a product or idea to a limited audience to decide whether it’s worth releasing into “the real world” or if the idea needs fine-tuning before going public. I love this concept—but not just for marketing.

Soft launching can easily be applied to any change that you intend to make. Trying to break out of your jeans and t-shirt rut? Soft launch the change by wearing a dress to your mom’s house for brunch. Trying to work on those social skills? Try having a conversation with the guy sitting in the seat opposite you at Jiffy Lube. Thinking of quitting your job and opening a bakery? Ask the local bakery if you can interview and shadow the owner to see if it’s even a lifestyle you’d enjoy. The fantasy of owning a bakery and the reality don’t always match.

Take whatever “hard launch” goal you have, and soft launch it. Try it out. No pressure. If it bombs, who cares? It was just a soft launch. Who cares if the guy at Jiffy Lube thinks you’re awkward? Fine-tune your strategy and try again. By the way, the time to soft launch is always right now.

And….

Launch!

(Softly)