It’s easy to become bogged down by self-doubt and inaction. It’s easy to wait to be in the mood before starting something. It’s easy to procrastinate. I’ve been guilty many times of not starting something by being stuck in “planning” for way to long and waiting for something outside of my control to happen first.

So I’ve been trying to cultivate a “bias for action” where I place greater value on taking action over prolonged planning. I learnt in my previous role as an innovation leader about the importance of using test and learn principles in product development, about taking controlled risks in the face of uncertainty. And I’m now applying these some principles elsewhere in my life.

Having a “bias for action” allows you to be nimble and respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges. This doesn’t mean being reckless or rushing into things – you still need to consider the consequences of your actions which is why any risks should be controlled. 

Ask yourself, are you avoiding starting something because…

• You’re fearful of not doing it well?
• You want things to be perfect first?
• You’re overwhelmed by the size or complexity of what you’re trying to do?
• You’re not sure you have the skills or knowledge?

If you are stuck, here are some suggestions to get things moving… 

• Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to get started and to see progress. 
• Set deadlines and hold yourself accountable or find an accountability partner. Having a deadline creates a sense of urgency and motivates us to get things done.
• Prioritise and focus on the most important tasks. By focusing on the tasks that will have the greatest impact, we can avoid getting bogged down by smaller, less important tasks.

As Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players of all time said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Take some shots, see what happens and see what you learn…