Do you think too much? Have you every tried not to think? To just do? Both Yoda and Nike were on to something when they told us to “Try not, do” and “Just do it”. While said more than 20 years ago, it’s just as relevant today. There are times when you should think before acting – common sense can guide you there. But many more times when you should just get your hands dirty. By doing.
In the past, I must confess to being guilty of thinking too much. I still spend a lot of time in my head thinking, contemplating, having robust conversations about what I could be doing. Or not doing. How I could be more productive. What I can do to add value to the interactions I have with people everyday – both in my family and in business. About possibility. So much so it drives me crazy at times.
I’ve been working hard to do more and think less. To just start doing and enjoy the process – working through issues as I go rather than trying to anticipate every problem. It saves a lot of time because I start solving real problems versus the ones that never materialize. Content Action is all about taking positive action to build your company’s brand and create killer content. I’m here to help you do both – let me now if you’re stuck and we can just talk it through. Ask a few questions. Kick the tires to identify your pain points. That’s all you might need to get on track.
My eight-year old daughter has had a school project to do over last Winter’s break on favorite traditions in which she needed to write about it and add pictures to illustrate the details. We tried for a few days to get her to work on it. But she protests, saying she didn’t know what to do. Where to start. In digging deeper, I found she was paralyzed by wanting it to be perfect and not wanting to make mistakes.
I believe this is something we all face. We make excuses for why it won’t work or why we’re not capable enough or why we’ll fail. Before we even try. We’re paralyzed by thinking too much. I suggested to my daughter to start drawing. To start writing. It’ll work itself out as she got lost in the process – freed from the tyranny of her own thoughts. It worked.
In fact I thought long and hard about this site before starting. I even made a few false starts. My inner critic often weighed in and killed the previous iterations. I just need to read one more book. One more magazine. One more blog. One more _______ . Do you spend more time thinking about what to write than writing. When you really should just write and let the words be my guide. I can always edit later. Make 2010 the year to do. To execute. To deliver. To inspire.
What do you want to do this year but don’t know where to start or are waiting for more information? Think no more and just start. Somewhere. Get lost. Forget that you can’t do it. You may not know exactly where you’ll end up – but if you embrace the journey you’re apt to solve the problems that matter. You just may accomplish something. Perhaps more than you thought possible. What a confidence booster that can be!
Do now. Think later.
