Striking a Chord Between Overthinking and Action

Sometimes the hardest thing to do in the world is to pick up a pen or open a laptop. We’ll spend hours doing everything except the important work that we need to do. This is especially true with big things like starting a business or launching a product.

I have a story to help illustrate this, but it means sharing a story that I have never told ANYONE. (Not even my wife.)

I was in a band once. Not a middle school orchestra kind of band either. Some middle school friends and I formed a band and I was the bass guitar player. (My dad had one that I was going to be able to use.) The Bassist?

I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.

What does matter is that I was in a band with three other guys. We spent so much time talking about our name, what kind of music we wanted to make, and the style decisions for our album covers that we never sat down and played music. (Yes. Some of you might argue that that means it wasn’t a band. And you would probably be right. But that ruins the lesson here… so let’s just leave that for the comments section in the Facebook community.)

The point here is that we spent so much time overthinking every last detail about what we wanted to do and how, that we never did any of it.

Learn from my “band.“

Stop overthinking your logo. Create that Facebook page and start sharing content.

Stop worrying about how you will market your book. Write it.

Stop thinking about your album cover and just start making music.

Main Quest - Find a Goal and Break it Down

Your Main Quest this week is to think about your business, identify one large, and potentially overwhelming goal, and break it down into small actionable steps. \

We’re told to dream big right?

Often, our most ambitious goals can seem daunting. The sheer scale of what we wish to achieve can be overwhelming. However, there's a powerful strategy that can turn these seemingly insurmountable goals into a series of achievable steps: breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks.

The Psychology Behind Small Steps: The principle behind this approach is rooted in cognitive psychology. When faced with a large task, our brains often perceive it as a threat, triggering a stress response that can lead to procrastination or avoidance. By breaking a big goal into smaller tasks, we reduce the cognitive load and the associated stress, making the goal appear more achievable and less intimidating.

In short, breaking a big goal into smaller ones helps to get our brains out of the way so we can do the necessary work (even if the amount of work is the same).

Step-by-Step Approach

Below is a step-by-step framework that will help get you along the way. Grab a piece of paper or open up a document and get going!

1. Define Your Big Goal: Start with a clear and concise statement of your large goal. Ensure it's well-defined and meaningful to you.

   Example: “I want my side hustle to grow enough so that I can leave my day job.” OR “I want to start a new blog to support my business.”

2. Break It Down: Decompose this goal into smaller, actionable tasks. These should be specific and time-bound. For example, if your goal is to write a book, break it down into tasks like outlining chapters, researching, writing a certain number of words daily, etc.

3. Set Micro-Goals: Take it a step further by converting these tasks into micro-goals. For example, if one task is to write a chapter of a book, a micro-goal could be to write a particular section or a certain number of words.

4. Prioritize and Sequence: Arrange these tasks in a logical order, prioritizing them based on importance and deadlines. (Don’t overthink this though. No plan will ever make it to completion without changes.)

By breaking down your goals into smaller tasks, what once seemed like a mountain becomes a series of manageable hills. Each step you take not only moves you closer to your goal but also builds your confidence and capability to tackle even bigger challenges in the future. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Embrace the power of small actions, and watch as they lead to significant change.

Something to Think About

Side Quest - Start Using Free Stock Photos

Your Side Quest this week is a freebie! I want you to set yourself up for success by giving yourself free access to thousands of photos and pieces of art to enhance your blog posts and social images.

We live in a visually-driven market. It has never been more important to use captivating imagery in your social media posts and blog articles. In a perfect world, we would all have a team of photographers and artists to generate amazing images for us whenever we need them. But, we don’t. This is where the magic of stock photos comes into play!

What is a Stock Photo?

A stock photo is a professionally taken image that is available for public use, typically licensed for specific purposes such as marketing, advertising, or editorial work. These photos are often found in online databases and can be used by individuals or businesses to visually enhance their content without the need for a custom photo shoot.

Why Use Stock Photos?

Professional Quality: Stock photos offer professional-grade quality that can significantly elevate the look and feel of your digital content. These images are taken by skilled photographers and are designed to be eye-catching and high-resolution, ensuring that your brand is represented in the best light possible.

Cost-Effective: What small business has the budget to hire a professional photographer? Stock photos provide a cost-effective solution, giving you access to a vast library of images at a fraction of the cost.

Time-Saving: Your time is precious. Searching for the right stock photo is much quicker than organizing a photo shoot. This means you can focus more on making money and less on getting just the right shot.

Variety and Versatility: Whether you're looking for an image to convey a specific emotion, showcase a product, or represent a particular demographic, stock photo libraries offer an immense variety of options. This versatility allows you to tailor your imagery to fit the unique voice and style of your brand.

How to Use Stock Photos Effectively

Stay Relevant: Choose images that are relevant to your content and resonate with your target audience. An irrelevant or generic photo can be jarring and disengage your readers.

Brand Consistency: Ensure that the stock photos you select align with your brand's aesthetic and values. Consistency in visual branding helps in building brand recognition and trust.

Customize When Possible: While stock photos are great as they are, don't hesitate to add your flair. This could be as simple as overlaying text, adding your logo, or applying a filter that matches your brand's color scheme. You can make a lot of these changes quickly in Canva or other photo editing apps.

Check Licensing: Always be aware of the licensing agreements of the stock photos you use. Some may require attribution or have restrictions on commercial use.

Where to Find Stock Photos

There are multiple websites where you can find stock photos. Some offer free images, while others require a subscription or per-image fee. I prefer free sites like Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pexels. You can even get some stock imagery on Canva to use in designs. (We talked about Canva in a previous issue.)

Embrace Slow Progress

In a world that often celebrates quick results and instant gratification, the value of slow and steady progress can be easily overlooked. However, there is immense power and sustainability in embracing a slower pace on the journey toward achieving our goals. This segment explores why slow progress, often underestimated, can be the most effective route to long-lasting success.

The Tortoise and the Hare Revisited

The classic fable of the tortoise and the hare teaches a timeless lesson: slow and steady wins the race. Unlike the hare, who starts quickly but soon loses steam, the tortoise represents consistency and persistence, eventually leading to victory. This story is more than a childhood lesson; it's a powerful metaphor for how we approach our goals and ambitions.

Benefits of Slow Progress

Deep Learning and Mastery: Slow progress allows for a deeper understanding and mastery of skills. When we take our time, we're more likely to absorb and integrate knowledge effectively.

Sustainable Habits: Gradual change helps in forming habits that stick. Quick changes can be overwhelming and hard to maintain, leading to a higher chance of reverting to old ways.

Reduced Burnout: A slower approach reduces the risk of burnout. It's about running a marathon, not a sprint, ensuring we have the energy and motivation to continue in the long run.

Appreciation of the Journey: Slow progress helps in appreciating and learning from the journey, not just fixating on the destination. This approach can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.

Adaptability: Moving slowly gives us time to adapt and adjust our strategies in response to challenges and feedback.

Embracing Patience and Persistence

Patience is a key component of slow progress. It's about being persistent and keeping your eyes on the goal, even when progress seems minimal. Remember, even the smallest step forward is a step in the right direction.

Free Social Media Content

Below is a list of content ideas for your Facebook pages! these are written to be pretty generic. Update them to your brand and style (or Don’t!) and post them with a fun image!

Motivational Monday

"New week, new goals! 🌟 What's one thing you're looking to achieve this week? Let's start this Monday with positive vibes and a can-do attitude! #MotivationMonday #NewWeekNewGoals"

Wellness Wednesday

"Mid-January is here, and it's the perfect time to check in on our New Year's resolutions. How are you keeping up with your wellness goals? Share your progress and tips! 🏃‍♀️🍏 #WellnessWednesday #HealthGoals"

Throwback Thursday

"Throwing it back to last January! Here's a snapshot of our team during our winter retreat. Share your favorite winter memory with us! ❄️ #ThrowbackThursday #WinterMemories"

Fun Friday

"Friday is here, and it's time to relax! What are your plans for this chilly weekend? Let us know in the comments! ☕📚 #FunFriday #WeekendVibes"

Saturday Showcase

"Spotlight on our latest product/service! Have you tried it yet? Share your experience or questions below, and let's chat about what makes it special. 🌟 #SaturdayShowcase #FeatureHighlight"

Sunday Reflection

"As we wrap up another week, let's take a moment to reflect. What's one thing you're grateful for this January? Let's spread some positivity! 💭 #SundayReflection #Gratitude"

Winter Wellness Tip

"Stay warm and healthy this winter with our top tip: [Insert a quick, relevant tip]. Do you have a go-to winter wellness hack? Share it with us! ❄️🧣 #WinterWellness #HealthTips"

Inspirational Quote

"‘The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written.’ – Melody Beattie. What chapter are you writing this January? 📖✨ #InspirationalQuote #NewBeginnings"

Community Engagement

"We love our community! This January, we're featuring stories from our followers. Tell us about a recent achievement or something you're proud of, and we might share it on our page! 🌟 #CommunitySpotlight #ShareYourStory"

Behind-the-Scenes

"A sneak peek behind the scenes at our workspace! This is where the magic happens. Show us your January workspace setup or home office. Let's inspire each other! 🖥️🌿 #BehindTheScenes #WorkspaceGoals"