Just Do the Damn Thing
A few weeks ago I shared this post on my Instagram with the caption below.
I can assure you that you’re overthinking it.
I know. I’ve been there and I still do it from time to time.
But the truth is we learn by DOING not by overthinking! So get out there and do the damn thing!
Will you be happier if you TRY it or play it safe? I think we both know the answer to that question.
Now let’s go kick some ass, boss!
The truth is this topic is on my mind a lot. The whole Thinking vs. Doing conundrum.
It comes up with my clients when they’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. It comes up over dinner when a girlfriend keeps circling back to that same, familiar, yet annoying thought pattern. It comes up in my own life, when I find myself paralyzed by my to do list, so I go seeking “answers” in the kitchen cabinets. As if the answer to my problem lies somewhere between the can of garbanzo beans and my protein powder?!
Of course, thinking has its place! It’s important that we’re not always springing into action without considering the next best step. We need to create space for deep thinking, evaluating pros & cons, and sometimes simply allowing time for our gut and intuition to kick in without all the busyness of doing.
But there’s the deleterious side of thinking. More appropriately known as over-thinking, or as I affectionately call it mind-fucking a problem to death. This is when thinking has gone too far.
Do you keep circling back to the same pervasive thought or question? If so, will MORE thinking help you get the right answer or is it time to try something else?
I’ll venture to guess it’s time to start DOING.
We replace doubt through action. That’s because action gives us real life data! So instead of moving through our lives wondering, thinking, wishing, hoping, or otherwise lollygagging, you move yourself one step closer to clarity with every action you take.
Think about the last time you found yourself in this position. Didn’t you feel that immediate sense of relief when you finally took action versus allowing yourself to continue to sit and stew?
What I’ve found over the years, is that overthinking is often a masquerade for fear. The fear of trying something new. The fear of putting yourself out there. The fear of being judged. The fear of launching or creating something new. The fear of failure. The fear of all the things.
I get it. It’s a force to be reckoned with, especially as entrepreneurs & founders.
The next time you’re feeling caught up, I invite you to consider this. Will more thinking help you get to the other side? Or is now the time to take a little action?
Remember, every little step counts. And frankly, the road to success is paved with thousands of little fucking steps. So let’s clear the bullshit out of the way and get moving sister. You’ve got an empire to build and I’m ready to watch you make it happen.
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Hilary Johnson
Hilary Johnson is on a mission to help women entrepreneurs develop powerful, profitable and sustainable businesses. As a serial entrepreneur and business coach herself, she recognized the need firsthand for true community, support, and education. This led her to create Hatch Tribe, an organization devoted to cultivating and connecting women entrepreneurs across the world. She is the host of the “Art of Doing Podcast” and author of "A Girls Guide to Surviving the Startup with Your Mind, Body, and Soul Intact", an encouraging read that imparts road-tested wisdom for tackling the inner and outer work of being the boss. When she’s not working you’ll find her traveling the world with a single carry-on bag. Her favorite quote & mantra is “Live Loud. Eat Well. Travel Often”.