Talk is cheap. Everyone has ideas and opinions. Real value lies in action, but action isn’t easy. It takes knowing when to stop talking, and start doing.
“Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouth” — Mike Tyson. This quote’s great because it’s true. No matter how well-crafted your plans and theories are, he real test is in execution. Through action, you find out what works and what doesn’t. Without it, you’re just spinning your wheels.
Here are ways to be less talk & more do, moving from ideas to execution:
- Embrace first principles thinking—Break complex ideas to their most basic form. Understand the physics. This gives you a clearer, foundational perspective that allows you to rebuild the concept in a way that mets your goals head-on. Truth is, this is what design thinking is all about. Break things down to the raw ingredients through discovery, then build it back up via definition, design, etc.
- Avoid analysis paralysis— You really can talk or analyze something to death— avoid this. Look, analysis provides insights, but don’t let it become a black hole. Balance is key. Gather enough information that gets you to 70% certainty in your decision, then keep it moving. Don’t over think.
- Visualize the end, then work backwards—”If you do not know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere — Kissinger”. Craft a Northstar and plot it out on a roadmap. This will give you the destination you want to get to. Break it down into actionable milestones, where each step gets you closer to your goals. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with with a single step” — Lao Tzu. Start getting your steps in ;).
- Organize Tasks by Priority and Size. Sort your tasks into ‘now’, ‘next’, and ‘later’, based urgency and importance. Use sizing methods, like t-shirt or cake sizes, to contextualize the scope and effort required for each task. This will help you focus on what’s important, and balancing.
- Keep it simple: It very easy to get lost in crafting the perfect story. Start with the essentials, and iterate over time. “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” — Reid Hoffman. Don’t over think, just do.
- Make decisions: Indecision itself is a decision. If you don’t actively choose to take action and continue making decisions as you progress, you’ll find yourself stuck. Make calls and be prepared to adjust as you go. It’s not always about being right on the first try; it’s more crucial to be engaged in the act of execution and decision-making, rather than falling into stagnation.
- Just do it: Real progress isn’t made by solely talking; action is the key. Aim at making something happen each day. This simple act of moving into action puts you ahead of those still locked in theory. Remember, true value comes from taking action, not talking.
- Keep going: Every day is an opportunity. Once you find your rhythm in execution, just keep going. “just keep swimming, just keep swimming” — Dory, Finding Nemo. The more you immerse yourself in action, the easier it becomes to shift between idea and execution.