What To Do When You Have No Idea What To Do!

 

We’ve all been there at some point. We have a glimpse of the end goal, a vague, or even on some occasions a very clear picture of where we want to get to or what we want to achieve. However the bump in the road usually shows up when it comes to figuring out how to get there. How do we know what we should actually be doing if we haven’t done it before? How do I know what to do when I have no idea what to do? Pretty perplexing right?

 

I’ve been here on several occasions and I must admit that too many times my response has been paralysis. I’ve often resorted to doing nothing because it seems easier than trying to figure out what to do. But this year I decided to try something different. Thankfully I did because now you’re here in Marbie’s Kitchen!

 

So what did I do? And what can you do when you have no idea what to do?

 

1. Do something.

Sounds crazy right? I’ve learnt that inaction only allows us to remain in the same position and can sometimes feed the fears we have. This advice comes in super handy in those times when we do know what the next best step is but are avoiding it. A quote I love says “the magic is in the work you’re avoiding”. Try it. Do the next best thing you know you should. Not entirely sure? Read on…

 

2. Research.

This is always a fantastic place to start. There is a ton of information out there, most times it’s free (or at least the amount you need to get started is free). How much more could you achieve if you worked on being a bit more resourceful? Prior to launching Marbie’s Kitchen, I listened to endless podcasts about podcasting. Imagine that. There are podcasts about podcasting! As absurd as it sounds, it goes to show that the information is out there waiting for us. So if there’s an area or subject that you’re unsure about, do some research!

 

3. Become intentional about your time.

There is always time. Sounds harsh but it’s true. What may be lacking instead, as Tim Ferris often points out, is priorities. If you are clear on your priorities, you’ll make time for them. This goal that you have that you want to achieve, set aside time to work on it daily or weekly. I often block out several hours on most Saturdays to work on a particular goal. Sometimes it may be an hour a day instead but either way, I became more intentional with my time and began to see results.

 

4. Remember the little bricks build the mansion.

Sometimes when we have no idea how to get to the end goal, it can seem insurmountable. However, if you remember that seconds make up minutes, drops of water fill up a glass and the little bricks build up the mansion, you’ll realise the same principle applies everywhere else. The goal seems less daunting when you know you can’t get there overnight. Take time to digest this principle, because it comes in handy across the board. Do the little things well and it will help you get to the end goal.

 

5. Give yourself homework & build muscle.

As you’re researching and brainstorming, it can become easy to take in large amounts of information without doing anything with it. We become information hoarders without intending to.

Give yourself mini assignments with each chunk of research you do. As you take in information, always ask yourself what you can do with it in the near future to see results. If you’ve read about becoming a better writer, take an hour out of a weekday to practice the tips you’ve been given.

The more you do, the bigger muscles you’ll build in a particular area.

 

6. Get exposure.

I’m big on exposure – seeing something and knowing it’s possible does wonders for the mind. And I don’t mean this in a way where we begin to replicate the exact work we’ve seen elsewhere. Rather, I believe it helps to find stories about people’s journey. How did they get there? What were the obstacles? Then you know your struggles aren’t that peculiar and realise the possibilities that exist.

 

7. Be bold.

It recently clicked for me the other day that being bold and having confidence aren’t the same thing. Being bold is a choice you have to pick everytime a situation pops up. You choose to be bold in the face of whatever comes your way. Now how does being bold help when you don’t know what to do?

 

Everyday on my commute on the underground I notice something. At the ticket barriers, there’s usually a door that’s completely empty. Everyone scurries and queues up for the door that already has 10 – 15 people trying to squeeze in. Why? Because for most people, it’s safer to go through the door that’s proven to be open or working or available. Even though there is another door completely free and waiting for you to walk through it!

 

Yes I’ve said get exposure to see what’s possible, but guess what? Sometimes even with that exposure, you’ll see that the path you’re eager to walk down doesn’t have footprints on it already. Don’t let that deter you. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t know what to do, it’s that we’re scared to do it because we haven’t seen it done.

Equip yourself adequately and walk boldly anyway.

Be bold with that which seems unpopular.

 

Hope that’s helped.

What was your favourite takeaway from this? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Love,

Marbie