Day 2 - Catapult Your Life Forward Series

Yesterday on day 1 of the Catapult Your Life series we talked about Janet and her struggle with her fear of loss overshadowing the benefits of taking a risk. If you haven't read that one yet, I highly recommend checking it out!

Today we’re going to talk about Brian. Brian is your classic intellectual. Always learning and expanding his knowledge base. Brian is the type of guy you know will always have the answer or know where to find it. Can you relate?

Brian had the idea of starting a tech start-up that was going to focus on bringing new innovations to the health and wellness scene. Brain’s biggest challenge… getting out of his own head long enough to execute his plan.

Brian’s in what I call the stage of getting ready to get ready. This is where one of Brian’s strengths as a highly intellectual individual has now become his nemesis.

Once he thinks of his idea it’s like his brain splits apart in many directions leading him down a path of over-analyzation and overwhelm. Once in overwhelm it’s nearly impossible for Brain to take a step forward. This leaves him feeling shame, defeat, and frustration.

He questions what’s wrong with him as he knows he’s a highly intelligent person who’s usually on top of his game. But when it comes to executing his idea he stops himself before even getting started.

He’s constantly in his head either thinking, overthinking or beating himself up for something that’s not working how he’d like.

Brian’s biggest issue: over-analyzing with no execution. This keeps him stuck on a perpetual hamster wheel going nowhere. I’d argue if left untended to, this pattern of destruction can leave you worse off then when you started.

WHY? Because the shame and negative self-talk that can accompany this pattern are brutal. Things you would never say to your worst enemy can show up when you are stuck in this pattern.

So why does this even happen?

Two common reasons…

1. FEAR of failure disguised of wanting to 'get it right’

2. OVERWHELM from looking at the entire scope of the project instead of chunking it down. Usually followed by doing ‘busy work’ as a distraction OR worst of all doing nothing and then beating yourself up about it

If you’re experiencing any of what I’ve mentioned above, I want you to release all self-judgment! Some of the most powerful people I’ve ever worked with get stuck in this pattern.

Two keys to remember here:

Perfection is impossible and is a self-sabotaging trap. I recommend imperfect excellence over perfection.

Clarity will NEVER come from ‘thinking about it over and over’. Clarity comes through action and assessment of progress.

Catapulting yourself forward requires constant execution. Yes, that can be very uncomfortable for people who like to analyze and perfect, but it’s the only way to move forward!

Today’s exercise involves you checking in with yourself and asking “What project is in analysis paralysis mode? What action needs to be made to get out of analysis paralysis mode?” HINT: Don’t overthink this… it’s the FIRST action that comes to you!

Keep an eye out for Day 3 tomorrow where we are going to talk about getting lost in comparison and imposter syndrome!

Lots of love,

Lisa