to not take on too many projects. I have so many and feel lost when I try to work on them all, but also feel guilty when I don’t work on them. It’s not easy this “being a responsible adult” thing
I see this with a lot of founders. They think it's a discipline issue but are really just trying to build ten things at once while telling themselves they're building one.
It's not lack of capability, it's too many competing priorities, with no filter for what actually matters. No wonder we all, at one point, burn out.
First stupid one that comes to mind, I spent weeks creating 40+ pieces of content before I even launched my startup formally because I thought I'd get a head start with SEO (spoiler - I absolutely didn't). I lied to myself SO MASSIVELY since I also come from a heavy SEO background. I should've known better but .... 🤣🤣
lol that sounds like this one time I decided that the 45 sub avatars of our harmony map assessment each needed a seven email sequence = 315 emails written. Let’s just say in the name of simplicity and sanity I’ve since paired that down :)
thanks for the stack @Helene K what is “not on the list” for you? We’ve all got them!
to not take on too many projects. I have so many and feel lost when I try to work on them all, but also feel guilty when I don’t work on them. It’s not easy this “being a responsible adult” thing
I see this with a lot of founders. They think it's a discipline issue but are really just trying to build ten things at once while telling themselves they're building one.
It's not lack of capability, it's too many competing priorities, with no filter for what actually matters. No wonder we all, at one point, burn out.
Great post, thank you!
i'm also curious, what's your one thing thats "not on the list" - come on, we all have one! :)
ONE???? I have like 10+???
First stupid one that comes to mind, I spent weeks creating 40+ pieces of content before I even launched my startup formally because I thought I'd get a head start with SEO (spoiler - I absolutely didn't). I lied to myself SO MASSIVELY since I also come from a heavy SEO background. I should've known better but .... 🤣🤣
lol that sounds like this one time I decided that the 45 sub avatars of our harmony map assessment each needed a seven email sequence = 315 emails written. Let’s just say in the name of simplicity and sanity I’ve since paired that down :)
aren't we something else? 🤣🤣🤣
Hey Mia! Thanks for this. Cool to see you here, as I've been admiring your writing as well! Great content (and publication name!)
thank you so much!! ❤️
LOVE THIS! From Phil at Sacred Business Flow
Why Do Entrepreneurs Get Off Track?
1. They don’t have a simple way to choose what matters.
If there’s no filter, everything fights for attention.
2. They haven’t translated their long-term vision into a short-term constraint.
If you don’t know what “this quarter” is for, you’ll try to solve every problem at once.
3. They treat ideas as instructions instead of information.
So....create a decision structure so that consistency becomes almost automatic.
1. Pick one measurable 90-day outcome. Something clear enough that you’d know if it happened.
2. Identify the 3–5 actions that genuinely move that outcome forward. No more than five. Most people only need three.
3. Everything else goes in a parking lot. Not deleted. Not dismissed. Simply deferred.
4. Use weekly check-ins to course-correct without blowing up the whole plan. Small adjustments prevent big resets.
What is your one thing that's "not on the list" right now David? lol :)
LOL you probably already know that, sensei!
Not on the list! I love this idea of sharpening the decision filter.
but Josh - what is one thing that is "Not on your list" - we all have them lol! The people want to know!
One thing. It’s taking me a bit to think of something, that’s a good thing! Dialed in. I would say being on the dating apps. That’s not on the list. 🤣