Less thinking, more doing
We already have a plan, a way-now we need action.
This post isn't about getting started or creating future plans. Nor is it about achieving goals; it's about the critical phase in between: bridging the gap between goal-setting and goal-achieving.
The phase between goal setting and goal achieving presents similar difficulties to the issue of getting started.
Lisa Notz
However this post is less generally oriented and more focused on the mental preparation between thinking and doing.
Good to know
It’s said: thoughts turn into words and words then become action.
Verbalising a thought can solidify the intention behind it. If you actively tell yourself “I’m going to work out today” the chances you actually will immediately increase
Why it matters
Knowing that words (originating from thoughts) can shape action, you can use inner self talk to help overcome self-doubt or other challenges you might stumble upon while trying to make your goal/dream a reality.
If your self-talk is mostly negative
“I’m not good enough“ “I won’t make it“ “I might let other people down“
Try Cognitive Restructuring:
After identifying that you talk yourself down, challenge the thought- ask yourself if what you‘re thinking is actually valid. Is there any reason for you to think you won’t make it? Have you thought you wouldn’t make it, but still succeeded before?
Then…
Reframe the thought: turn it into something that is more realistic. Instead of “I’m not good enough” remind yourself that even if you have failed before you are indeed capable succeeding/ learning from your mistakes.
To prevent negative self-talk try and avoid judging yourself too harshly. ….
Replace these negative thought patterns over time and stop overthinking.
Overthinking
This is a tough one. Mostly occurring from the fear of uncertainty, perfectionism, past negative experiences, high expectations, lack of confidence, anxiety or stress, overthinking holds back 73% of world-population in pursuing action.
By understanding how habits work you can play with your overthinking in a way. Try using triggers (like leaving running shoes by the door) instead of directly confronting your flow of thoughts. Through focusing on action instead of perfection, you can build momentum and create habits that support your goals, making progress feel natural and less overwhelming.
The Role Of Feedback
Maybe not everything will go as planned. Failure is definitely possible and instead of seeing it as competition, view failure as your form of feedback. Being able to adapt to valid feedback shows you that failure is only a stepping stone - never an end.
With a mindset focused on growth, every obstacle transforms into an opportunity to discover a better path forward, making success inevitable with persistence.
Story: From Idea to Reality - Starting a Side Business
Sarah, a 32-year-old marketing professional, always loved baking as a hobby. One day, after making cupcakes for a friend's birthday, several guests complimented her work and suggested she sell her treats.
1. The Thought:
That evening, Sarah thought, "What if I turned my baking into a small side business?" But she dismissed the idea at first, thinking, "I don't have the time or resources."
2. Evaluation:
Over the next few weeks, Sarah noticed more opportunities where people admired her baking. She began to seriously consider her idea. She asked herself:
- Is this feasible with my current schedule?
- Would people actually pay for this?
She weighed the risks (time commitment, potential failure) against the benefits (extra income, creative fulfillment).
3. The Emotional Drive:
Her growing excitement about the idea outraged her doubts. She envisioned happy customers enjoying her treats and felt motivated to pursue it.
4. Setting an Intention:
One morning, Sarah decided: "I'll start small and sell cupcakes at a local farmer's market next month."
5. The Plan:
She broke the goal into manageable steps:
- Research licensing and food safety regulations.
- Create a menu with 3-4 items.
- Buy baking supplies and packaging.
6. The Action:
Sarah spent her evenings preparing for her first market. She rented a booth, baked her cupcakes, and showed up on the big day with her products.
7. Feedback and Adjustment:
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Customers loved her cupcakes, and she sold out by noon. Encouraged, Sarah decided to expand her offerings and refine her pricing.
Summary:
To successfully turn thoughts into actions, you need clear goals, emotional drive, supportive self-talk, and a system of habits and triggers. The process is reinforced through feedback and adjusted when necessary, with the brain constantly adapting to make future actions easier.
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