You Unleashed with Femi Akinyemi
You Unleashed with Femi Akinyemi
How to go from Overthinking into Action
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The episode tackles the pervasive issue of inaction and offers practical strategies to overcome it. Listeners discover the root causes of inaction, including fear, perfectionism, and overwhelming goals, and learn three hacks to take action and achieve their dreams—starting small, focusing on progress, and creating accountability.
• Discusses the prevalence of overthinking and inaction
• Explores root causes: fear of failure, perfectionism, overwhelming goals
• Outlines the impacts of inaction: missed opportunities and wasted time
• Introduces three actionable hacks: starting small, focusing on progress, creating accountability
• Encourages listeners to take one small actionable step towards their goals
Take actionable steps to break the cycle of inaction by finding a coach or mentor.
Hello everyone, welcome to the you Unleashed podcast. I'm your host, femi Akiyemi, and I'm so excited for you to join me this week, where we'll be sharing some amazing nuggets and just tips, tricks, to help you maximize your week and make the most of your week. So, before we go on, I have a quick ask. If you're watching this on YouTube, please subscribe on our YouTube channel. Click subscribe so you get the latest content, and if you're on the any of the podcast platforms, do subscribe so you can get the latest updates when they come. So, diving into this week, what are we talking about this week? Have you ever had a great idea or a goal, only to overthink it until you took yourself out of it? You're not alone Now.
Speaker 1:The fact is that over 70% of people feel stuck in overthinking at some point in their lives. This is from Harvard Business Review, so you'll be able to reflect on your lives and realize that there must have been a time where you had a big goal, a big vision, a big promotion, something you wanted to achieve, and the more you thought about it, the more complicated it became. And the more complicated it became, the less you felt like doing it, the less capable you felt of achieving it until it became so overwhelming that you just ended up packing in the idea. So in this episode, really, we're going to be talking about exploring why inaction happens to all of us. Inaction can also be a form of procrastination. Why does it happen to us and how can we break through it with practical steps. You know me, I'm all about practical steps and I love to share stuff that I personally struggle with as well, because I'm human, you're human and in reality, at some level, we all struggle with the same things. So that's what we're going to be doing, because overthinking keeps us stuck so many of us. It keeps us stuck, and the year is only just beginning. So this is something we absolutely have to nail down break this habit and be able to get into a place where we're just building and achieving and achieving and achieving. So let's get into this now.
Speaker 1:So why does inaction happen? Why does getting stuck happen? The root cause of inaction really is a number of things. There's three things I'll talk about. One is the fear of failure, and you see what's happening. It's circling back to episode last week where we spoke about fear. If you haven't listened to our episode last week, I encourage you to go. Listen to it. We break down fear and how it paralyzes us.
Speaker 1:So number one for inaction and the reason for inaction is the fear of failure or making the wrong decision. You think, if I invest all my money in this new business, if I invest all my time in this idea, if I invest all my emotions in this person, what if it goes wrong and it's the wrong decision, okay? Number two perfectionism. You're waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect outcome. You're waiting for things to line up to give you the confidence that it's going to happen, because perfectionism and waiting for the perfect moment is really about me or you waiting for things to give us a guarantee? Newsflash there is no guarantee that you're going to be successful.
Speaker 1:Number three overwhelming goals that feel too big. To start your goals just feel too big and really there's a trick around your goal being too big. It's good to have a big goal. It's amazing, because you really should have goals that are bigger than you. You should have goals that stretch you. You should have goals that make you feel like I can't do this by myself. I need some higher power, some faith, some belief, something to plug in, to give me that rocket fuel for all the physical activity that I put in myself. So those are the three things.
Speaker 1:So what's the impact of overthinking Number one? Missed opportunity, wasted time and increased activity. Let me ask you a question Is there any of you here that has this experience? You had a great idea that came to you and you thought you were going to do it and you put it off. And then, a few months later or a year later, someone else is doing the exact idea you had and all of a sudden, you're thinking, oh, I wish I should have done that. That's what's called a missed opportunity, wasted time and increased anxiety. And let me give you let me give you something to think about for this a lot of time we think about the missed opportunities, but we don't think about that. We're missing out on learning, because, whatever happens that missed opportunity, you'd have learned something, you'd have made new friends, you'd have built up knowledge and you'd have learned a way not to do what you wanted to do. So the reality is that, even if you had failed, you would have still come out on the plus side, but we miss out on that and we end up sitting down and not doing anything.
Speaker 1:So what we want to talk about is now is three hacks that we can use to break inaction. So the first one start small. The reason why you're being inactive and you're not taking step because your big goal is hairy and scary is that it's big, and if anyone told you today that you were going to own the biggest, I don't know. Let's take a rough example you're going to own the biggest supermarkets in the world. It would literally go in your mind. You'd literally think of a big supermarket, like some of the big supermarkets, like Walmart, shoprite, tesco's, carrefour, all the big brands and you think how on earth am I going to open that? I can't. But what you should do is if you think back to the people who started these supermarkets or these big chains, they started out with a small shop, made a bit of money and then bought some more products and got a bigger shop till they owned their full big first supermarket and then, when they made enough money, they opened two, more and more. So they started small.
Speaker 1:So you have to break your goal into the smallest possible action and focus only on that. Don't focus on anything else. I'll share a story with you briefly. I was talking to my coach recently and we were speaking about a new business I'm I'm looking into starting, I've started. And then I said, and then my coach said for me, the problem is you're thinking of the end goal and when you think of the end goal, the reality is that you're nowhere near the end goal. Think of the smallest possible action you can take and do that and tick that off. And then we go the next day and think of something else. So, for example, if you're stuck on writing a book, start with one sentence, or brainstorm for five minutes.
Speaker 1:If you're thinking of I don't know being a big time event planner, start with just planning your own child's event from beginning to end, but doing it properly. Or your friend's event, if you haven't got children. Or your family's event. If you're thinking of being one of the biggest influencers, how about this? Start with one Instagram story or one tweet or one message on X. You have to start small. And why does this work? Small actions reduce overwhelm and they build momentum. Message on X. You have to start small. And why does this work?
Speaker 1:Small actions reduce overwhelm and they build momentum. So the small action immediately just makes you feel okay, this is achievable, I can achieve this? This is a small ask. And also you do it once you feel okay, I feel good about myself, and then you take off another action and then you start to build momentum to become a big ball that is just gathering up speed, and then you tick off another action and then you start to build momentum to become a big ball that is just gathering up speed, and then you just start to tick off things. So here's a practical tip I want to give you for this week Set a timer for 10 minutes and just start 10 minutes. Do a little bit of whatever it is you want to achieve and after that take a break.
Speaker 1:Often, starting is the hardest part. That is the hardest part of anything Just starting. So that's hack number one start small. So before we go on, you know, breaking through in action requires clarity and support.
Speaker 1:So, speaking of which, here's something successful people often don't share, but they do. Successful people have coaches. Often don't share, but they do. Successful people have coaches. They have coaches that help them break their biggest glorious versions into smaller things that they achieve. I remember seeing a picture of Jay-Z and Warren Buffet, and this was when Jay-Z the rapper was trying to get into investment and he sat down with Warren Buffet and he gave him little little bit of things to do. So you see, see, even some of the most popular rappers in the world, most successful people, have coaches. So whether it's finding direction, overcoming roadblocks or just taking the first step, coaching gives you the edge to move forward with confidence, and that's why, at mycareerlabscouk, we help you identify what's holding you back and create an action plan to achieve your goals. Whether it's getting promotion, getting a new job, becoming a director in a business or in your place of work, or overcoming some of the blockers to you, becoming the best you can be and earning your maximum salary or wage at where your work or your business, you need a coach to help you on that journey with a step-by-step action plan. Don't let inaction keep you stuck. Visit mycareerlabcouk today and take the action and the first step towards success. So let's get back to tackling inaction head-on.
Speaker 1:Hack number two focus on progress, not perfection. I'll say that again focus on progress, not perfection. So how do you do this? Shift your mindset to prioritize progress over perfection, want to tell you is. Forget about the end goal, the end vision, what you're trying to achieve. Your number one objective should be let me just make a little bit of progress. I don't want to just get to the end goal right now, because that's so far away. Let me just make a little bit of progress. So let me give an example. A lot of us wait till everything is just perfect, but I would say, just start, and as you start, you refine as you go along. I'll share a personal example.
Speaker 1:I remember when I started this podcast, I didn't have any equipment and I would sit down in a small cupboard and I'd be sweating and I'd have a little my phone and I'd speak into my phone and record the first podcast. I encourage you listen to the very first podcast on the Unleashed podcast episodes. You will notice a difference. There was even no video then, but what I learned after that was that, okay, you need a microphone, you need a camera, you need a studio, you need somewhere that is soundproof. You need all of these things, and as I started to discover these things, I got better. So why does this work?
Speaker 1:Perfectionism paralyzes action. I cannot begin to tell you the number of people I've coached, I've spoken to who, because they're so focused on being perfect, they get paralyzed. And there's something we always talk about. We call it paralysis analysis or analysis by paralysis. Just do it. The reality is that by starting, you are already% better than the rest of the world because at least you started. Progress, even if it's imperfect, builds confidence. Confidence comes from ticking the box, saying I did it, I'm getting better and better. So here's a practical tip Think of progress as a staircase. Your vision, your goal is the top of the stairs and every day you're climbing the staircase, one step at a time, gets you closer to the top.
Speaker 1:Hack number three create accountability. This is a mixed one, because you always hear people say don't share your goals with anyone. Don't do that, and that makes sense. But what you should absolutely do is internalize your goal till it becomes your goal and you're absolutely sure this is something you want to achieve. Then share your goal with someone who can hold you accountable, and it has to be someone who can hold you accountable. Don't share your goal with someone who is always negative, someone who doesn't believe in you, someone who doesn't encourage you or someone who has never achieved anything like what you are trying to achieve. Share your goal with someone who understands the journey you're trying to go on and who will hold you accountable. A good example tell a friend, someone you respect, or a mentor or a coach your goal and set regular check-ins to report your progress. Another thing you can do is find someone else that wants to achieve something and have a weekly call where regularly, you touch base with each other and find out how you're getting on. So why does this work? Accountability provides motivation and the support to keep you moving. It provides the motivation and the support because the support is the person encouraging you, saying Femi, come on, you can do this. So here's a practical tip Join a community or find a mentor to stay committed and again, you can visit my career lab our sponsors of this podcast and there you can get a coach or a mentor to support you on this journey.
Speaker 1:So the key takeaways and actions for this are a couple of three hacks. Number one start small and take the tiniest step first. Just take a tiny step. In Atomic Habits by James Clay, he says take small steps because these small steps are a vote for the person you want to become. When I started my podcast, me recording a podcast every week was a vote for myself becoming a podcaster. You want to start a business. You want to write a book. You want to become an event planner. You want to own a school. You want to get into properties. You want to get a promotion. Start with one tiny step.
Speaker 1:Number two focus on progress, not perfection. Just begin and adjust along the way. The most important thing is you start, because when you start, you have the confidence of starting, you know what you're doing wrong and you can begin to adjust as you go along the way. Number three share your goal with someone who holds you accountable, someone you respect, someone who honors your goals, someone who honors what you're trying to achieve, and someone who has been down that road or has achieved something and understands what it takes to discipline yourself and focus. Okay, so takeaway actions. Write down one goal you've been procrastinating on. Identify the smallest step you can take today and share your goal with someone who will hold you accountable. So, as I wrap up today, here's my final message to you Action beats inaction.
Speaker 1:Every day, they say culture beats strategy. They say action beats inaction. Even though you're doing the most tiniest thing, you're way better than someone who hasn't even started or done anything. So action beats inaction every single day of the week. So don't let fear or overthinking, keep you stuck. Take that first step today. Number two if this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs a push or to take action. And if you're someone who's already an action person, share it with someone who needs a push or to take action. And if you're someone who's already an action person, share it with someone who needs to hear this to take action. And don't forget to subscribe for more insights on youtube, on the podcast platform, and leave a review.
Speaker 1:Share a good message, get unleashed, and getting unleashed is about taking action every day. You cannot become unleashed if you're stuck. You only become unleashed by taking the chains off, and you take the chains off by taking one step at a time, finding someone to hold you accountable and focusing on progress, not perfection. I hope you have an amazing week where you make progress. 2025 is going to be about us all achieving our greatest, most amazing goals, because when we come back at the end of 2025, I'm hoping we're all sharing these wonderful goals with ourselves. So find someone out there to encourage. If someone comes to you to ask for support and accountability, make sure you back them and don't give them negative vibes. And you yourself, get someone to encourage you go out, smash the week, achieve one little thing, and for me it's get unleashed, stay unleashed.
