Begin Doing and the Rest Will Fall into Place
Scott Miker
Walt Disney's legacy resonates with success, making his advice invaluable. His words echo the importance of transitioning from thoughts to actions for triumph.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” quoted by Disney, emphasizes the crucial shift from ideation to action. Often, we find ourselves trapped in cycles of planning without execution, delaying our progress.
During my tenure at a prominent chamber of commerce, I immersed myself in the burgeoning startup community. Within this realm, I noticed diverse enterprises—some born from corporate careers seeking independence, others tech startups chasing rapid growth, and enthusiasts pursuing dreams-turned-businesses.
A common thread among many was an overemphasis on meticulous planning. While planning is fundamental, excessive focus without action often leads to stagnation. Fear of market validation hindered progress, resulting in procrastination within the startup phase.
Successful ventures, however, adopted a different approach. They swiftly moved beyond mere planning to test their ideas in the market, embracing a trial-and-error process. This allowed them to adapt, pivot, and refine their strategies based on real-world feedback.
Every check-in revealed an engaging pattern: the prosperous were always in motion, implementing strategies, while others perpetually crafted new plans based on external feedback, lacking real experience.
Balancing planning with action is pivotal. Overthinking can impede progress, just as hasty decisions can lead to undesirable outcomes. Acknowledging my inclination to over-plan, I consciously strive for a balance by taking timely actions.
Taking 100% responsibility for our lives, as advocated by many successful individuals, empowers us. It ensures control over our responses to life's challenges, steering us through adversity. Yet, it remains an uncommon trait, with many preferring to blame external circumstances for their predicaments.
Recognizing choices amid unfavorable circumstances is vital. Often, our options may seem equally unfavorable, presenting challenges in decision-making. Nevertheless, choosing amidst these complexities grants us control over our paths, steering us towards improvement.
While choices may appear limited and options unfavorable, recognizing these choices grants control over our destinies. We may wish for better circumstances, but positive changes stem from choices, however difficult they may seem.
To seize control of our lives, we must acknowledge and act upon these choices, even if they seem unideal. Progress is often birthed from navigating through these initial difficult decisions, setting us on the path towards improvement.