July 23, 2026
Why You Keep Preparing Instead of Starting
Do you find yourself endlessly preparing instead of actually starting? You make another plan, write another list, or tidy your workspace. It seems like preparation, but deep down, you know it’s just a hiding place. You’re not avoiding the work; you’re avoiding the moment it tells you where you really stand.
The Issue This cycle of preparation can feel productive. You convince yourself that you’re getting ready to tackle the project. But what you’re really doing is stalling. You might fear failure or the discomfort of facing a blank page. You might think you need to feel ready before you begin. But the truth is, that readiness often never comes.
The Honest Turn The usual advice tells you to plan, to be ready, to wait for the perfect moment. But this framing fails because it ignores the reality of starting. Research shows that action often precedes motivation. When you commit to doing just a small part of the work, you create evidence of progress. This is where the concept of “ten ugly minutes” comes in. Instead of waiting for the perfect conditions, you simply start. You give yourself permission to be imperfect and to learn as you go.
The Move So, what’s the next step? Don’t aim for perfection. Instead, commit to just ten minutes of work on your project. Open the document, start writing, sketch an idea, or brainstorm. It doesn’t have to be good; it just needs to exist. This small action can break the cycle of preparation and help you confront where you really stand. You’ll find that ten ugly minutes can lead to unexpected insights and momentum.
Take this challenge today. Open that project you’ve been avoiding and give it ten bad minutes. You might surprise yourself.
For more on this idea, check out the 60-second video linked in our channels. And if you want a quick reminder of this approach, download our one-page sheet to keep you focused on taking action.
Take it with you: the one-page sheet for this piece — download the PDF. The 60-second version is on our channels.