Do you find yourself stalling on great ideas? If you’re tired of watching them stay locked up in your mind, it might be time for a change. I’ve faced this myself, and I know how the “BUTs” and “WHAT IFs” can take over. They can consume our minds to the point where nothing gets done. Here’s how to break free from these chains and go from feeling overwhelmed to making real progress.
There’s one key factor I notice in people who get things done: they just do it.
Characteristics of the “Just DO It” Mindset:
1. Overcoming Overthinking: Why Overthinking Blocks Progress
Overthinking often leads to action paralysis.
Of course, thoughtful analysis is valuable, especially if you’re in a role like risk analysis where preparing for all possible outcomes is necessary. And when it comes to big life decisions—like choosing a partner or buying a house—consideration is wise.
However, overthinking everyday situations can quickly become overwhelming. It can be so paralysing that it halts all progress.
For example, I started bouldering a couple of years ago, and I quickly learned that in order to complete a route, you can’t stay stuck thinking about the next move for too long. Why? Because your arms tire, and if you wait too long, you’ll lack the strength to pull yourself up when you’ve finally chosen a path. By then, it’s too late; even if you found the best route, your energy’s drained, and you’re forced to let go.
It’s the same with life decisions. We hesitate and debate so long that, by the time we’re ready to act, the opportunity may have passed. What remains is often a missed chance.
Solution: Take action on the route you can see. Identify your next step and go for it! Even if it’s not the perfect path, taking action gives you momentum, allowing you to adjust as you go.
Remember, you’ll achieve nothing if you don’t take the first step. By giving it your best, you’ll gain satisfaction from knowing you did something instead of nothing.
2. Expecting Perfection: Why Perfectionism Holds You Back
Whether it’s the “perfect plan” or the “perfect conditions,” the truth is that nothing is ever perfect.
I have a friend who wants to refresh his living room furniture, especially by getting new sofas to optimise space. He occasionally rents out his spare room, so I offered some advice on furniture that would work well. I followed up a few weeks later, expecting him to have made a choice, but he hadn’t ordered anything yet.
He’d started to worry about potential issues: What if his new tenant dirtied the sofa? What if he regretted the purchase? The fear of things going wrong, of the sofa not staying “perfect,” took over. Months later, he still hasn’t upgraded his furniture or found a new tenant.
Solution: Choose progress over perfection. Shift your mindset to value the progress you’re making rather than fixating on flawless execution. Every step brings you closer to your goal.
Impact: In this case, a new sofa and a tenant would mean increased income and a better living environment—both of which could improve his mental health, productivity, and quality of life by simply enjoying his space more.
These two habits—overthinking and expecting perfection—are some of the biggest obstacles to turning ideas into reality. Do you see yourself in these patterns?
If you’re ready to stop overthinking and expecting perfection, and to finally turn your ideas into actions, let’s work together to unlock your potential.