🔥 Stop overthinking: In Community #47

“There’s nothing mentally healthy about going in front of a bunch of strangers and being like, here are my ideas – do you like ‘em?

No? Silence? Okay – I’ll just scream in the shower a week from now thinking about it.” – Josh Johnson

Does this resonate with you?

Last week, I wrote about a designer who showcased cultural appreciation – not cultural appropriation – and found her power. Her art, much like Josh Johnson’s, could easily have been something that she overthinks.

As a creative or a builder, it can be tough to know when something is ready to put out into the world. It’s natural to keep editing, tinkering, or wanting to add that seemingly final touch that might make it ✨ perfect ✨.

Sometimes, one more special something does do that. Most of the time, though, we’re overthinking it.

👉🏽 Here’s the problem: At best, it can needlessly slow us down, and at worst, it can derail us entirely.

Johnson is a great example of not being overly precious about your work or efforts, so I’m taking inspiration from him this week. Of course, he works hard and has been honing his craft for years, but he recognizes that belaboring it does him no favors.

He creates content – he puts out his art – consistently. It’s not perfect, but it’s perfect for his audience at the moment in time they receive it. Through this approach, he’s been able to consistently build a fast-growing community and is quickly reaching the pinnacle of his field.

So how can we all stop overthinking?

I use a simple formula (seriously, it’s simple): Pre-action, Action, and Post-action.

👉🏽 Pre-action: I ask what this effort means to me. Is it one of many? What’s the weight I should put toward this in the context of all my efforts or work? The energy I put in should tie back to this.

👉🏽 Action: I develop the work – this is where I put the greatest amount of energy. Critically, I put a sharp deadline on it, so that this is my anchor that keeps me from straying too far by over-analyzing each element or by aiming for perfection. I aim for progress over perfection.

👉🏽 Post-action: It’s out there in the world. Whether it’s a presentation in a corporate environment or creative content that I’ve developed over time, it’s no longer just mine. I take in the external reactions to it, but I remind myself of my intent and the energy I told myself I’d put into this effort. This grounds me and helps me remain focused on the change I’m working toward as my authentic self – not based on the expectations of others.

And activating change through their own authentic selves is a theme with the culture-makers featured in this week’s Need to Know. Each of them is a reminder that not only can standing out be the key to outstanding impact, it can also bring us together across our communities.

🙌🏽 Enjoying In Community? Have you considered becoming a supporting subscriber? For around just $5/month, you can actively show your support for our work to uplift the voices who haven’t historically had the platforms they deserve. Or, save nearly 20% with a full-year commitment for less than $55.

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Need To Know

💥 Watch: Halle Berry is inspiring people to move. The change maker reminds us what paving your own path looks like.

💥 Is Josh Johnson the funniest guy on the internet? He’s built a loyal community through cultural understanding and rapid iteration.

💥 Graci Harkema recognizes it’s not always easy to be your authentic self at work – but here’s why it matters. She shares how we can get there too.

Who are the authors, social impact leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and more who should get featured for how they’re moving us forward together?

Are you one of them? Reach out with your ideas by replying to this directly.

In community,

Fahad