Alan Turing, the father of modern computing, said:
“We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.”
How do you get started? A new habit. A new idea. A new business. How much do you need to see ahead to actually get started?
Getting started with this podcast reminded me about the hours of procrastination I will never get back. Funny enough I didn’t call it procrastination at that time, I called it strategizing. Anyone else can relate?
If you are a business owner or a professional who is serious about building their career, you’ve got lots of ideas you want to implement, right? But how do you find the time and the energy to get started? How do you know if you are strategizing (wanting to launch something amazing) or just procrastinating (delaying the launch, wanting everything to be perfect before you show your work to the world)?
Here are the three 3 points I go through to see if I am strategizing or just procrastinating!
1. Ask – Am I creating or procrastinating?
You should see progress right away – something tangible! No matter how small! A phone call made. A course registration. Domain name registered. A podcasting account created. etc. Something that you actually did and then moved on to the next step. Do not do the same thing over and over, until you perfected it or research the heck out of it until finding “sufficient” information on the topic. Create, don’t procrastinate!
2. Strategizing is energizing!
Procrastination feels draining! Strategy feels good! With strategy, you see where you are going – things are getting clear. But if you’ve been working on something for a while, and still have more questions than answers – you are definitely procrastinating!
3. Turn inspiration into activation!
In Marketing, Brand Activation is the art of driving consumer action through brand interaction and experiences. In simple terms, the key aim of these sorts of campaigns is to get consumers to act. Act while you are inspired and excited! Do not wait for a second! It may feel silly, for instance, to start recording a podcast before you know what you are doing, but trust me – that inspiration is not going to last! Invite the idea to grow, by acting on it right away!
Now, don’t get me wrong – I am all about thoughtful planning and strategizing. I run a marketing agency in Vancouver, Canada, where we create branding strategies and marketing plans for our clients – strategy is important. But if you don’t get started or delay your project because of the strategy, in this day and age you will be left behind by the time you figure it all out. And the truth is – you will never figure it all out.
“We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.”
What do you see? What are you getting started on? Are you feeling energized or depleted?
So,
- Create, don’t procrastinate
- Feel it – strategizing is energizing
- Turn inspiration into activation – act on it today!
Do you have tips and tricks up your sleeve how you make sure you don’t get stuck and keep moving forward with your ideas? Head over to my Instagram page @helenstepchuk and comment on my last photo.
Did this topic resonate with you? Rate and share this podcast with your friends.
And come back next week for more on how to brand your heart!
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