“The show doesn't go on because it's ready; it goes on because it's eleven-thirty.”
— Tina Fey
Simplified Meaning:
This quote is saying that sometimes, things happen not because they are perfectly prepared, but because it's time to do them. Imagine a school play. The students might not have everything perfectly memorized or every costume just right, but when the clock says it's time to start, the curtain goes up and the play begins. In life, waiting for the perfect moment or for everything to be completely ready can make us miss opportunities. We often have to act even if we don’t feel 100% prepared. For example, if you’re nervous about giving a presentation at work but the meeting time has come, you have to go ahead and do it. This teaches us that taking action when it's required is important, even if we have doubts. You can apply this by facing challenges and opportunities head-on, trusting that doing your best at the moment is often more important than waiting for perfection.