#170 | STOP WAITING, START DOING – 5 KEYS TO GETTING STUFF DONE

Carter Ferguson
Jul 20
5 min read

This Episode is Sponsored by Petra Kolb

Today I completed a chore that I’ve put of for seven months. It took me twelve minutes. I will learn nothing from this. Melanie Mitchum

Action is the foundational key to all success. Pablo Picasso

This is the 5th episode in season 14, and today I'll be exploring 5 things that can hinder our progress. But before we dive in, let me give you a quick recap of last week's episode, which focused on Mel Robbins' Let Them Theory. The Let Them Theory encourages us to let go of our desire to control others' thoughts, opinions, or actions, and instead, concentrate on self-empowerment and prioritising our own goals. By doing so, we free ourselves from unnecessary distractions and can continue moving forward in life.

Today, I’m going to talk about 5 key issues that contribute to keeping you from moving forward and getting stuff done. Firstly, I’d like to thank Melanie Mitchum for the opening quote, that came up before the title music because it’s so indicative of the sort of thing that we all suffer from. I’m forever getting asked about how we can get things done so let’s not beat around the bush, let’s get into the subject and take some action.

The Mental Weight of Procrastination is Heavier Than the Task Itself.

The longer we avoid a task, the more it grows in our minds as something intimidating or unpleasant. In reality, the task could be simple and quick, like the Melanie’s 12-minute task that took her 7 months. The stress of avoiding it for seven months likely caused far more discomfort to her than the task itself.

So, the lesson here is really quite profound! The mental energy we burn whilst procrastinating, overthinking, or feeling paralysed often exceeds the energy needed to just get on with the task. This paradox underscores the significance of conquering our inner resistance and taking decisive action. By acknowledging that this pattern exists, you can escape the procrastination trap, regain control over your time and energy, and achieve substantial strides towards your goals.

That Small Tasks Can Feel Big When Left Undone

When we put things off, even the smallest tasks gain disproportionate importance in our minds. They become looming obstacles rather than manageable actions.

The key point to remember is that neglecting even minor tasks allows them to accumulate and grow in their perceived size, leading to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

These can start as minor tasks or simple actions, but as time passes, they loom larger in our minds, and amplify feelings of guilt which make it even harder to tackle them. This inaction can lead to decreased productivity and self-confidence, and a vicious cycle of procrastination.

A small leak will sink a great ship. Benjamin Franklin

Avoiding the Task Teaches You Nothing, But Action Always Does

Melanie said she learned "nothing" from completing the task, but procrastination itself teaches us an important lesson: action is the only way forward. Even if the task is trivial, the act of completing it builds momentum and frees up mental space.

Every time you take action, you reinforce the habit of doing rather than delaying. That’s how you grow, even if you don't see immediate value in the task itself. Each time you opt for immediate engagement over delay, you train your brain to prioritize progress and productivity, thereby shaping your mindset to be more proactive and goal-oriented.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Mark Twain

Perfectionism Fuels Procrastination

People often delay tasks because they want to do them perfectly, or they overthink every step. This fear of imperfection prevents progress.

I’ve done whole episodes on this but it’s always worth re-iterating. Sheryl Sandberg famously said Done is better than perfect and it’s a terrific productivity mantra. Taking action—even imperfectly—allows you to move forward and make adjustments as needed. You might find that this concept allows you to focus on your progress and avoid getting caught up in a cycle of indecision or self-doubt. By acknowledging that perfectionism can hinder your efforts, you can preserve your motivation, maintain your focus, and safeguard your well-being while still achieving actual outcomes.

Procrastination is the thief of time, collar him. Charles Dickens

Remember too the words of Earnest Hemmingway which I like to quote here often "The first draft of everything is shit". It’s okay for the initial version of any work, whether it be writing, artwork, or a project, can be imperfect. It’s the subsequent drafts and iterations that will improve and refine the final product. If you never write the 1^st draft, you’ll never be able to improve it.

And finally…

Time is Often an Excuse

Melanie delayed a 12-minute task for seven months. This shows that time is rarely the real issue—it’s our mindset, fear, or resistance to starting that are the real problem.

If something feels overwhelming, ask yourself: “What’s the smallest step I can take right now?” to get stuff done - Just starting often reveals how manageable that task really is.

If you are looking for actionable Takeaways from today’s show try these:

Adopt the 2-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes to start, do it now. This eliminates small, lingering tasks before they pile up.
Ask Yourself: What’s the Worst That Could Happen? Often, the fear of starting is irrational. Remind yourself that even if the task is imperfect, it’s better to get it done.
Use Micro-Deadlines: Set a timer for 10 minutes and commit to working on the task for just that long. You’ll often find it’s easier to finish once you start.
Reframe Procrastination: Instead of thinking, “I’ll do it later,” tell yourself, “I’ll feel so much better once this is done.” Visualising the relief of completion can motivate you to act.

And to reiterate what I have talked about today:

The Mental Weight of Procrastination is Heavier Than the Task Itself.
That Small Tasks Can Feel Big When Left Undone
Avoiding the Task Teaches You Nothing, But Action Always Does
Perfectionism Fuels Procrastination
Time is Often an Excuse

As you go about your week, folks, remember to replace hesitation with action, swap waiting for doing, and unleash your true potential. Make a commitment to take those first steps towards your goals and embark on the journey towards success.

Thank you for joining me once again, and I look forward to continuing this conversation in future episodes. Until then, you can take some action for me – if this episode has been in any way helpful, please forward it on to a friend. I’d be very grateful for the support!

Let me end today with some words from Karen Lamb, who said A year from now you may wish you had started today.

Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shooting and join me next time on Film Pro Productivity and Success