How do I start over when I have no idea what I’m doing?

There’s a quiet panic that hits you in your twenties.

You realize you’re not where you thought you’d be. Everyone else seems to be moving forward, and you’re stuck wondering how to start over when you don’t even know what that means.

That’s exactly why I wanted to talk to Michael Cecchi-Azzolina on Guyset. His story is proof that it’s never too late to rebuild, even when you have no plan, no safety net, and no clear direction.

“I’ve reinvented myself so many times. You just keep moving. You have to.”

1. Admit You’re Lost. That’s How You Get Found

Starting over doesn’t begin with a plan. It begins with honesty.

“I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I couldn’t keep doing the same thing.”

You don’t need a ten-year roadmap. You just need to stop pretending you’re fine. The moment you can say, I don’t know what’s next, but I’m ready to find out, things start shifting.

Feeling lost isn’t a failure. It’s often the beginning of clarity. If this feeling has been weighing on you, How Do I Find My Purpose When I Feel Lost breaks down why this stage is more common than you think.

2. Start Small, Then Stay Longer Than You Want To

Michael didn’t start as a bestselling author or a recognized voice. He started as a waiter in New York, learning what it meant to show up even when no one was watching.

“You don’t start at the top. You start where the door opens.”

Most guys want to skip the boring part. The slow climb. The repetition. But that’s where you build discipline, humility, and reputation.

The thing you think is temporary might end up being the place where you learn how to lead later.

3. Stay Humble Enough To Learn and Bold Enough To Try

“The only people who make it are the ones who keep asking questions. You have to be curious.”

Starting over is learning publicly. You’re going to mess things up. You’re going to ask dumb questions. That’s part of it.

Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from surviving the parts you didn’t.

If confidence feels shaky right now, How Do I Build Confidence When I Feel Behind shows why confidence grows from action, not certainty.

According to Harvard Business Review, curiosity and willingness to learn are stronger long-term predictors of success than early confidence or talent.

4. Treat Everyone Like They Matter

Michael built his second career on this mindset.

“When you treat people with respect, whether it’s the dishwasher or the CEO, that energy comes back to you.”

Opportunities rarely come from job boards alone. They come from relationships. From being someone people want to work with again.

Be the guy who remembers names. The guy who says thank you. The guy who shows up with integrity even when it doesn’t feel strategic.

5. Stop Waiting for Perfect Timing

“There’s no perfect moment. You just start. You figure it out while you’re in it.”

Most people never start because they’re waiting for clarity. But clarity doesn’t come first. Movement does.

This is the same pattern that keeps people stuck in careers, relationships, and ideas that no longer fit. How Do I Reinvent Myself in My 20s breaks down why action almost always precedes confidence.

Psychologists at Psychology Today consistently point out that action reduces anxiety faster than overthinking because it restores a sense of control.

6. Redefine Success While You’re Rebuilding

When you start over, your definition of success has to change.

“It’s not about money. It’s about peace of mind. I wanted to wake up and feel good about what I was doing.”

That shift matters. You can chase external validation forever and still feel empty. Starting over is your chance to decide what enough actually looks like.

Success isn’t just achievement. It’s alignment.

7. Don’t Fake Confidence. Build It

One line from the episode stuck with me.

“Confidence isn’t pretending you’re not nervous. It’s showing up even when you are.”

That’s the difference between arrogance and self-belief. One performs. The other persists.

Every time you start over, confidence is rebuilt brick by brick, through consistency, discomfort, and repetition when no one’s watching.

And Last But Not Least

Starting over isn’t about burning everything down.

It’s about building something new from what’s left.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

“You keep going. You keep learning. That’s the only way forward.”

FAQ

What’s the best first step when you’re starting over?
Do something small. Send the email. Make the call. Apply for the job. Clarity comes from movement.

How do I stay confident when I feel behind?
Stop comparing timelines. Everyone starts from a different place. Focus on consistency, not speed.

What if I start over and fail again?
You probably will. And that’s okay. Each restart gets easier because you already know you can survive it.