Why Taking Messy Action is the Best Path Forward - episode 311
Right now Unabashed You Coaching is focused on helping women stuck in ‘what to do next’ reset their purpose with messy action. (This can certainly apply to the men too.)
Well, what is messy action?
It’s the act of doing before you feel fully ready. It’s doing things at a B- instead of curating the perfect A. You can only get better at something by practicing, sometimes over and over again. Sure ’thinking about things’ is fun but it will take decision and action to move forward.
We’ve got 5 reasons why messy action is not only a good idea, but the best idea for you. Today. Now.
Master mind: a mentoring group where members gather collective wisdom and feedback to grow
— Our master-mind in which we challenge each other to messy action
Where Will You Water?
Thoughts from Why Taking Messy Action is the Best Path Forward
Where did I get this concept of messy action and why has it come to mean so much to me? Well, to answer that we have to go back a ways to the days where I wanted things to be just so, where I was highly motivated to excel, and I would be disappointed when I didn’t “succeed.” I would not have identified as a perfectionist even then, yet when you look at the characteristics of one, I could check most of the boxes. Google says:
Unrealistic Standards - Yes. I give well and I expect (want?) others to do the same.
All-or-Nothing Thinking: Depends. Getting much better at this one.
Extreme Self-Criticism: Definitely.
Fear of Failure: Gosh, yes.
Procrastination and Avoidance - Yes. It ‘should’ be just so.
Difficulty Delegating - Mixed. I like to delegate certain tasks and others I prefer to do myself. Not sure what the difference is.
So how have I become a recovering perfectionist? Well, it has taken time. First an awareness that this was happening, and then the desire to shift how I show up. This came through self-talk, learning and time. I got better at it and am still in process. The reps make all the difference. Practice. Practice. Practice.
I was introduced to messy action through the coaching training program I am currently completing. While the idea is not new it was refined through Myron Golden who is a Business Growth Strategist (fancy title). Summarized as follows:
1. Clarity Follows Motion, Not Meditation
People are stuck because they want to visualize the entire path before taking the first step. You cannot see the full the variables until you are actively moving. Taking messy action provides the real-world feedback necessary to adjust your strategy.
2. Disruption Follows Intention
The moment you set a powerful decision to change, disruption will follow. If you wait for the "perfect time" to act, you will never start. Taking messy action means pushing through the discomfort rather than quitting at the first sign of distress.
3. Overcoming the "Slow Start"
The beginning of any new venture is typically messy, and slow, with outcomes yet unknown. By pushing through with action, rather than perfect, messy action helps you break through the start. Mastery is a process built on consistent, imperfect steps rather than the just the talents you were born with.
So what does this mean for you, for me? I have embraced the philosophy of messy action but giving myself permission to put things out at B- rather than curated everything to an A. It is working for me and I will keep it going. It is liberating in terms of my energy, my thought process and my creativity. I don’t think it gets any better than that. This is where I will water things. What about you?
Done is better than perfect.
— Sheryl Sandberg
