Dear Self, Just Do The Thing

We all have those friends, relatives, or coworkers who are constantly coming up with great ideas. They always have another business they’re going to start, a book they’re going to write, a party they’re going to host…

We love them, but we know them by their actions, not their words.
These people are sayers, not doers.
They talk about a lot of things, most of which will never happen.
Yet we continue to encourage and egg them on like proud soccer parents.

I woke up in a quasi-cold sweat the other night, because I realized I have become a sayer.

Over the last year I’ve spent countless hours coming up with all these brilliant business ideas. I’ve run every aspect of each through the ringer. I’ve talked my husband’s ear off about them. I’ve checked out dozens of books from the library, and read exactly half of each.
Heck! I’ve even paid for a handful of domain names that are now drifting through the Internet.

But here’s how I’m not awesome:
In the last 6 months NONE of these “brilliant” ideas have left our cozy little Nashville house.

Because like, what if none of these ideas are actually brilliant?
What if I mess up? What if people talk bad about me?
What if I get bored?
Worst of all – What if I’m the wrong person to do this?

We’re in an age where everything is possible. But paralyzed by those options, most of us have ended up doing nothing at all.

There are a few people on my Instagram feed that I’m jealous of. I’ll admit that.
But I keep following them, because they are lovely friends and acquaintances.
It’s not that I want these people’s lives per-say, but I’m jealous that they found their thing, and have made a killing financially for their families by doing it.

I want in, but I’ve been better at brainstorming ideas while watching Portlandia than actually executing anything.

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If you haven’t noticed yet, this is a “Don’t be like me” post.
Maybe that isn’t very helpful at all, so if not, I’m sorry.
Write me a note on the Contact page, or go home and cry to your Mom about it. Up to you!

I want to stop talking and just do my thing.
And I want you to stop talking and just do your thing.

And yes, maybe there is more than one thing. And yes, our things are probably different.
But in most every case, our “thing” will cost little to no money, only our time and effort.

Call that person back, make that blog, start that business, return that Redbox, spend 30 minutes every morning writing that book, get that gym membership back, plan that trip and save a little of each paycheck. If there is a will, there is a way.

THERE IS A WAY TO MAKE YOUR “THING” HAPPEN.
JUST DO THE THING.

I will never know what works, what I have the potential to do, and what will most connect with other people if I never try anything. This blog was something I tried, and then quit, and then tried, and then quit again.

But since starting, I’ve heard from so many people, some from my past, some that I had never met before, about things that really resonated with them. I don’t know why I keep stopping.

I have something to offer the world, and so do you.

Stop talking, and just do that thing.