Stop Thinking, Start Doing
This one's for the chronic overthinkers out there who are procrastinating on starting by reading this post.... You know who you are.
I’m back! It’s been over a year since my last post, but sometimes the journey requires you to rest for a bit and reflect on the lessons that you’ve learned along the way!
One major lesson that you’ll find keeps popping up for me is “done is more important than perfect.” In Chinese, the phrase is “完成比完美更重要,” and I think the wordplay is much more fun, but the idea is the same. It’s important to know when it’s time to put something out and just get feedback so that you can actually achieve your goal. Instead of laboring over something for so long that you lose touch with the reality in which it was to be used, or the goal that it was meant to achieve, just test out what you have!
If this sounds like you, take solace in the fact that you’re not alone! Hopefully
, this post can help you keep moving to make the impact that I know you’re meant to make.
I’ve found that I know I’m overthinking (and need to stop) when I haven’t started because I haven’t thought of the best way to reach the end goal. In other words, I have a plan to start, but I’m not sure how to finish. Another indicator is when I’ve had something on my to-do list for more than three days, hahaha.
If you’re still stuck, here are a few tips that usually help me get the ball rolling again:
Make a to-do list that includes all of the necessary steps for the project or task.
Sometimes understanding where you are in the process is enough to get the ball rolling again!
Separate the “nice-to-haves” from the “need-to-haves”.
Know what the bare minimum requirements are for completing this task or project. Remember, done over perfect. The faster that you finish the fundamentals, the more time you’ll have to polish later.
If it’s on your to-do list for longer than 3 days, send it to someone you trust for feedback.
If possible, delegate it!
It’s okay to ask for help, even if it’s just with a small part of a project. If you’re able to delegate it and receive a modified version of the task, you may find that you have a renewed sense of excitement for completing it! Delegation will also be easier if you already have a clear idea of what’s left to be done because you made your list of “need-to-haves”.
If it’s low stakes, consider throwing caution to the wind and simply giving it to whoever is the intended receiver!
Tasks like sharing a survey or anything where you’re worried about the accuracy of the questions or the grammar, etc., are easy fixes, especially in the age of AI. Brace yourself for the feedback, but chances are that it’s not going to be as bad as you imagine.
Obviously, I’m still working through motivating myself as well, so maybe some of these actions won’t work, or maybe you have better suggestions! Feel free to share what helps you stop thinking and start doing in the comments. Remember, leadership is a process, and the only way to keep moving through it is to keep experimenting. Done is more important than perfect. Good luck on the next leg of your journey of Leadership in the Making!