My brain is my greatest nemesis.
Recently, between sickness and other life curveballs, my brain has been everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
Am I doing the right thing? Am I just wasting time? Should I try these ten ideas that seem “better” than what I’ve already been doing? What am I even doing?
What if everything they say about putting yourself out there is a lie?
What if there isn’t anything better?
But my gut keeps saying no.
I want the story to be that it was hard and I tried anyways. Not that it was hard so I gave up.
Indecision is Trapping You
I called a friend and she said,
“Imagine if you spent all that time worrying actually doing something.”
A direct hit to my ego. But she was right.
Think of the 1000 hours you wasted on being anxious. On indecision.
What if you did something with that time? Literally anything. How far would you be now?
In the beginning, it doesn’t even matter what you pick.
Because you don’t know anything.
You don’t have enough experience to know if it’s working. You don’t have enough experience to know if you even like it.
Even if it takes years to figure it out, you are making progress by doing. Anything.
Put out a video and see what happens.
Create something. Write something. Test something.
Share an idea with someone. Ask what they think.
Even if you take the “wrong” step, you took a step.
A step is worth 100x more than a guess.
It’s Always About Fear
When you find yourself overthinking, it always comes down to fear.
What are you afraid of and why?
Are you afraid of what others will think?
Of failing?
Of making the “wrong” choice?
You can’t think your way to a safe path.
Safety is an illusion.
Why do other people’s opinions matter more than yours?
What if you succeed?
What if there are no wrong choices?
It’s Like Climbing a Mountain
There are an infinite number of ways to climb a mountain. You can climb it slow. Take the scenic route. Or, climb it with friends, only go part of the way, and simply enjoy the journey.
But if you don’t choose to climb it, you’ll miss out on every one of these experiences.
This applies to everything:
You can get strong through calisthenics, through dance, through martial arts, or through trail running.
You can make money through a corporate tech job, as an independent consultant, as a surf instructor on a beach.
You can find fulfillment through your job, through a business, or through a hobby.
There isn’t a “right” way, there’s only your way.
But you have to choose.
Don’t let what other people are doing distract you from what you want to do. Follow what excites you, especially if you don’t know where it will lead.
There is no “should do.” There is just “do.”
This Week: For You
Reclaim those 1000 hours:
Pick an idea that you’ve filed away in the back of your head.
Define your first small step forward.
Make step 1 happen.
I am rooting for you.
Hi, I’m Kat! Welcome to my newsletter—your weekly dose of mindset, perspective, and mental health for sustainable success.
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— Kat