DON'T THINK, JUST DO
“Don’t think, just do,” is a phrase my husband often says to me when I start getting into my head too long. While we need to think about our actions and the next steps for accomplishing our goals, there is a point when we need to turn off this line of thinking.
Sometimes we can overthink something to the point that we’ve picked it completely apart and no longer have any energy left for it, or we can start coming up with problems that don’t yet exist. I do believe in the value of being aware of issues that may cause delays or unforeseen problems. However, fixating on it can begin to suffocate our creative minds. Have you ever been there? Self-sabotaging great ideas? I have. Unfortunately, it has been very easy for me to get caught up in the ‘what if’s’ when I’m getting excited about plans that I’m working on. At these times, my husband’s simple advice becomes a mantra.
Self-sabotage is so common. I hear a lot of terms like imposter syndrome, low self-worth, and waiting to be found out. There are a lot of insecurities felt by many in our communities, and platforms such as news media, social media, and super-stardom, that fuel these flames. It’s easy to portray the perfect life online, and a lot of people get caught up in believing the grass is greener on the other side. One of the reason’s I write these blogs is to show people that we are suffering too. While my life is abundant and joyful, I still struggle with everyday issues, and insecurity is one of them. In the last year, I have developed more confidence than I’ve ever felt in my life, but I still have that nasty little voice chirping in the background, “you’re not good enough,” or “you’re old, you’re unattractive.” Such nasty things that I wouldn’t say to anyone else. This derogatory self-talk fuels negative thinking patterns, which fans the flames of fear and prevents us from realizing our goals.
Don’t think, just do. This is the answer. When the ego-mind tries to limit your dreams, you need to give it a backseat. Start working on the steps you need to take to get you where you want to go. I had this come up often when I began writing. I was terrified that my thoughts, vulnerability, and creativity were going to be out in the world. The “do” was to write, to get the creative juices flowing, and take a chance. I started working with a photographer to create content, not knowing where this was heading, but the action of doing got the process started, and now it is tumbling forward at a pace that even if I wanted to pull the break, I am too far in. I
love it, and I love that I took a chance on myself and went with the do instead of the thinking. Life is too short. We hear this all the time, but it is so painfully true. I didn’t believe in myself for so many years, and I let that voice stop me from being creative. Not anymore. I will continue to overcome my fears and limitations because so often, the ones we carry are not even ours. Consider this, where did the nasty little voice in your head come from? Whose words or voice are you hearing? Is it something you’ve been told along the way? Possibly as far back as childhood?
There is a quote from Robin Sharma that I love, “Sometimes too much thinking leads to the death of doing.” I encourage you to get out of your thinking-mind and start actively taking baby steps towards your goals, no matter how big they may seem.
These baby steps turn into miles, and I’m living proof of this.
Be Well.
