Shortening The Gap Between Thought and Doing

We’ve all heard Nike’s famous slogan from 1988, right? It’s simple yet incredibly effective.

However, as inspiring as it is, putting it into action isn’t always easy. Personally, I still find myself spending more time contemplating a goal than actually pursuing it. There have been moments when I insisted on everything being 90% perfect—I needed the perfect camera for Instagram photos, or more art supplies to start on a project. I’ve always found excuses to delay goals I truly wanted to achieve.

My ADHD diagnosis exacerbated my procrastination and overthinking tenfold. However, after excessive contemplation akin to “The Thinker” sculpture by Auguste Rodin, I grew weary of watching others effortlessly pursue my aspirations.

I’ve encountered doctors diagnosed with ADHD later in life who successfully completed medical or doctoral programs. Was it challenging? Absolutely, they all agreed. Yet, the crucial aspect was persevering and achieving their goals.

Sometimes in life, fear of the unknown or trying something new can hinder our progress, leading to what’s commonly known as “analysis paralysis,” where our dreams and goals remain stagnant in our minds.

Surprisingly, social media played a pivotal role in propelling me forward. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube possess the remarkable ability to inspire and motivate us. We can either compare ourselves to others or use their success as motivation, adopting a mindset of “If they can do it, so can I.” I firmly believe that real change begins in our minds. By discarding excuses and starting from where we are, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

Another, albeit somber, catalyst for me was death. It’s a universal experience, touching us all in various ways—whether through the passing of a friend or family member, news events, or simply the inevitability of aging. Reflecting on this,

“I’m reminded of the importance of seizing opportunities and avoiding the regret of wondering “what if?”

If you resonate with this post, I habitually ask myself a few questions during periods of overthinking:

Although change may require time, we undermine ourselves when we withhold talents from the world due to fear or anxiety, ultimately leading to inaction. I prefer attempting something, even if it results in failure, rather than never trying at all. This way, I can determine whether the endeavor suits me.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” ― J.K. Rowling

“When you take risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed, and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.” ― Ellen DeGeneres