Some people spend so much time stressing about their goals, overthinking, planning, and coming up with excuses that they never actually get started. While others crack on with it. How often have you heard—or said—things like, “I’m planning, nearly there,” or, “I’ll start tomorrow,” or even, “I’m waiting for ... (insert your excuse here)”? It’s so easy to get stuck in this cycle. But the truth is, overthinking and waiting don’t get you any closer to your goal.

Just Start.

As Richard Branson famously said, “Screw it, let’s do it.” The best time to start is now; the second-best time was yesterday. Or as Confucius wisely put it, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” These timeless bits of wisdom highlight one simple truth: action beats inaction every time. Sure, planning is important, but don’t let it paralyze you. Overthinking can often lead to missed opportunities. 

A common mistake is letting perfect become the enemy of the good. It’s better to start imperfectly than to wait forever for the “right moment.” Trust me, there’s no such thing. If you wait for all the lights to turn green before you head out, you’ll never leave your driveway. Get started, adjust as you go, and keep moving forward.  

Starting a project or pursuing a goal isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. It's almost always better to start imperfectly than to wait for the "perfect. time”. There IS NO such time! So, stop waiting and start doing. Take that first step, no matter how small.

So, stop waiting, stop worrying, and just take that first step.

Bite Size It.

Sometimes, though, the size of the goal can feel overwhelming. You might look at the big picture and think, I’ll never be able to do that. But as the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “Great acts are made up of small deeds.” This lesson hit home for me as a boy when I helped my dad repaint our family home in Birmingham. It was a massive house with a pebble-dash front, and every few years, it needed repainting. We couldn’t afford professionals or scaffolding, so we tackled it ourselves—one small section at a time.  My job was to climb the ladder and paint while my dad held it steady and chatted with passers-by. Looking back, it was a pretty big responsibility for a kid, and I won’t even start on the health and safety risks! But we made the massive task manageable by breaking it into smaller chunks. We didn’t worry about how much was left or spend time celebrating what we’d already done. We just focused on the section in front of us. Day by day, bit by bit, we got it done. When we finished, we celebrated with crisps and pop at the pub—a simple but satisfying reward.

That experience taught me some important lessons about planning and execution that I still apply today:

1. Have a clear goal. Know exactly what you’re trying to achieve. For us, it was painting the house. For you, it might be launching a business, writing a book, or learning a new skill.

2. Break it down. Focus on one small step at a time. As I often remind my teams, “How do you eat an elephant? One piece at a time.” Tackling smaller pieces makes the big task far less daunting.

3. Stay laser-focused. Don’t waste energy worrying about what’s left or dwelling on what’s done. Overthinking can demotivate you, and overconfidence can lead to mistakes. Focus on the task at hand and give it your best.

4. Build a support system. You don’t have to do it all alone. My dad supported me physically and emotionally, while my mum kept us supplied with food and drinks. Whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues, a good team makes the journey easier.

5. Celebrate milestones. When the work is done, take a moment to acknowledge your efforts. Rewards, however small, keep you motivated and remind you why the hard work was worth it.

Isolate your self

Another key to effective planning and execution is cutting out distractions. If you’re serious about achieving your goal, you’ll need to make some sacrifices. Be selective about your social activities and limit time spent on social media, TV, or other distractions. These things won’t move you closer to your goal. If you can’t eliminate them completely, set strict limits—use a timer if you have to. Every minute you reclaim is a minute you can invest in your goal.

To summarise take it one step at a time, stay focused, and don’t forget to celebrate your progress along the way. Before you know it, you’ll be looking back at how far you’ve come with pride. So, what are you waiting for? Screw it—just do it!

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