It’s Easier To Figure It Out Than You’d Think

One of the biggest things keeping us from taking action on our dreams, goals, and ambitions is knowing how to do it. We can spend years in the uncertainty of what to do that we miss out on the progress we could have been making had we just gotten started. This goes for things as big as launching a new business, or as small as making healthy choices while traveling. 

When it comes to figuring things out, there’s really 3 paths forward: Ask for help, do some research, and give it a try.

Asking for help is probably the fastest way to figure something out. Someone who’s already been there and done that can provide real insight into what needs to be done. The problem is, we get in our own way and fail to ask for help enough.

We’re embarrassed that we don’t know how to do it… We don’t want to inconvenience someone else… We’re afraid to admit we don’t know what we’re doing… And it keeps us from tapping into the most helpful resource we have - the knowledge of other people. 

Doing research is a bit of a trap. We figure we’re being productive in figuring something out because we’re putting time into it, but it’s also a form of procrastination. It’s safer to prepare than it is to take action and risk failure. Many people get stuck researching too much and it keeps them busy doing something else that they don't actually getting anything done.

Which is why giving it a try is a great way to figure things out. This gives you real, hands-on feedback. Rather than debating the theory of what might happen, you get to observe what actually happens. With that newfound knowledge you are better positioned to make another better attempt, and slowly optimize your way forward.

It’s a silly example, but I was staying at my friend’s place in Austin, Texas and utilized all 3 of these methods to help me figure out how to make healthy choices. To have healthy food available, I researched the nearest grocery store and found one within walking distance. To get consistent workouts in, I needed to figure out where the onsite gym was. I could have put it off, but the first day I was there I went searching for it. I got the the floor of the apartment complex I thought it would be on (giving it a try), and had people point me in the right direction until I found it (asked for help).

The truth of it is,  we make up in our minds that something is going to be difficult, elaborate, or complicated. But once we get started in trying to figure it out, it quickly unfolds. What’s uncertain is often blown out of proportion. What’s known is more tangible and therefore, less overwhelming. So whatever it is for you that you’ve been putting off because it’s such a big project, or so unknown that you don’t know where to start, put some time into it and you’ll find it’s not as scary as you think.