I was in New York City last month, and had an opportunity to walk the High Line, the city’s newest park 30 feet above the streets.  Although there were great views of the New York skyline, the Hudson River, and the Chelsea Piers, the thing that really got my attention was a big yellow sign.

“Stop—I have to take a picture of this. It will definitely end up in a speech at some point,” I said to my friends.  They gave me those small, kind of patronizing smiles people give you when they think you’re nuts, and waited patiently while I shot a few photos.

Thinking or Doing?

I had to have this photo.  I knew this was important. I knew that I did this “thinking about stuff instead of doing stuff” pretty often. It was as if they put this big yellow sign there as a personal wake up call just for me!

As we continued down the path, I found myself thinking about how many times I think something to death, research something to death, plan something to death, before I actually take action. Sometimes, that process goes on for so long, I lose interest in the project.

So this big yellow sign was there to remind me! The sooner I park my car, the sooner I can stop thinking about parking my car. The sooner I write this blog post, the sooner I can stop obsessing thinking about writing this blog post. The sooner I write my next book, the sooner I can stop thinking about having to make progress on writing my next book.

Taking Action

I met John Haydon in the comments section of Sarah Robinson’s blog a few months ago. He had posted a comment that I now have on a post-it note on my computer. I look at it every day.  He said, “Action is the biggest middle finger to doubt.”

Action. Not researching it. Not thinking about it. Not planning it. Doing it!

Get It Done!

I sent him a direct message on Twitter telling him how much I liked what he’d written.  He turned me on to the Cult of Done Manifesto, which now hangs on my bulletin board.

I’m getting better. I’m moving from thinking, researching, and planning— to goals, focus, and action much more quickly. I’m producing more and getting more done. Yet, it’s a process!  It definitely wasn’t a switch I flipped.  It didn’t change overnight.

Share Your Experience

So what’s your experience?  Are you parking the car, or thinking about parking the car? Are you thinking about your project, or completing your project?

What are your thoughts? Where do you struggle? What tips do you have for focus, action, or completion?  Share them below!

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