I’ve Got The “Do” Part Down, It’s The “What” I’m Struggling With

I don’t think I ever missed a homework assignment in all my years of schooling. I usually completed it early too, because if I didn’t, it would weigh on my mind and the anxiety levels would continue to climb. I was always the guy in the group projects who would take notes on our brainstorming sessions and then organize them in a coherent, readable, and a transparent format and provide it to the group.

I did it partly to make sure someone was doing it, but more so because I couldn’t stand how people would format word docs, powerpoints, etc. Just unreadable garbage. I hope those folks have changed their ways or their colleagues and managers’ eyeballs must be on fire.

The real reason for all this was because I was a doer. I knew how to make sure projects were in sync, homework assignments were completed and prepared to be turned in, making sure they were legible and easy for the professor to read & grade. Little did I know I was actually treating my professor like a user of a product/service; making sure their experience with my assignments was as stress free and fluid as possible to make sure my assignment converted into a higher grade. If it wasn’t ideal, I’d ask why and generate a feedback loop. Who knew I was a little 7th grade product manager?

The best part of every class was reading the syllabus. I’d get a full view of exactly the roadmap I’d have to take to get the optimal grade and figure out the path of least resistance. I’d break down in my head the effort I’d need to put into the class and divvy up that energy and time with the other classes I was currently enrolled in.

Why am I talking about school? I haven’t been in a classroom since college almost a decade ago (holy eff I’m getting old). The point I’m trying to make is, when I’m presented with a challenge, a job, or something that has even an elementary roadmap, I tackle it as figuratively hard as I can. Even if what is presented to me is as simple as:

Step 1: Idea/concept/proposed challenge
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit

That Step 2 is where we all live, day to day. It’s the “do” part. I’m going to break down that popular meme mentioned above into the tangible roadmap that is created in my head when I read it:

Step 1: “What”
Step 2: “Do”
Step 3: “Done”

The “What” part has almost always been completed for me, by some other person/entity. Whether it be a professor, an employer, or a volunteer organization I’m working with. The issue/task at hand, and the hypothesized goal has already been established. It’s the breaking down of Step 2 where the struggle lies.

This couldn’t be more basic. Nothing earth shattering or new. People say it’s easy to come up with ideas…which is true. Making shit up isn’t hard. Go buy a 12-pack and let the creative juices start flowing. Then wake up, with a headache, and work on Step 2. Where do you start?

Lots of ways, but the best is to start with a Google doc, knock out a massive brainstorm session, vet out you idea, pro’s con’s, etc. See if it’s really viable after you’ve just word vomited on your screen. Propose it to friends, and more importantly strangers. Create a first draft MVP, start to build out an audience and in tandem build a team. Blah blah blah.

It’s not hard to come up with a plan of attack. I can do it in my sleep. Lots of the tasks are mundane, non scaleable, and monotonous, but I very much enjoy the process. It gives me the gratification of checking things off my to-do list. Seeing at the end of the day I made progress on something, even if it didn’t move the needle today, I’ve setup that needle for successful movement tomorrow.

I just done did all this doing; it’s what I do.

Did I do the right thing? Was that task executed correctly? Did I botch that email I sent to a prospective client by calling them the wrong name? Yeah. Probably. Chances are high that I did screw up somewhere. I can’t view future results of my current actions, immediately.

Although I completed all of my homework assignments, you can bet your ass a majority of them weren’t A+’s.

That’s the whole point of school, and in my opinion, the entirety of your professional career. Learn by doing. If you don’t do, you don’t learn. Step 2 is basically just a giant course in learning to vet out whatever the eff Step 1 is. Step 3 will happen, or it won’t happen, based on everything in Step 2. Enjoy the journey.

Step 2 is what I’ve been training for my entire life. I don’t have all the answers, but I have the work ethic, guts, and resourcefulness to give whatever it is a whirl.

Step 1, the “What” is what I’ve never been able to grasp. It was always given, or presented to me, in some form or another. “Here’s your homework assignment,” “here’s the job description and tasks you’re responsible for”, “here’s the problem we’re trying to solve”. The school system(s) I was in never taught me how to establish my own Step 1. Step 1 was always implied that it’ll be wherever you are in your life.

My confidence and ability to create viable Step 1’s that I’m passionate about, has been laughably low. I’ve been so spoiled by Step 1’s being provided for me, my brain isn’t wired to create my own Step 1. I lack the long term confidence and vision to really see my Step 1’s get to a Step 3. I envy (and am incredibly jealous) of those who have been able to find a Step 1 that they’re so passionate about and have stuck through all the woe’s of Step 2 that they’re still chugging along, years and years later.

If you’re applying for jobs, you have ceded Step 1 and will feel immediate impacts of Step 3 after your first two weeks (when you get paid!). If you’re currently in a role in a company that you didn’t create, or an idea you didn’t execute on, you’re a Step 2’er. There is nothing wrong with that at all.

I have a list of over 150 Step 1’s that I’ve thought of. Some are decent and could be worth taking a crack at. A majority are hot garbage. None of them I’m eager, confident, or married to in even considering giving them an introduction to Step 2.

When I go outside, there are offices, shops, restaurants…so so so many places of business. These are all from people having a Step 1! That doesn’t even count anything on the internet. I’m just thoroughly impressed that so many people have thought of a Step 1. The execution and them building it is cool, but I’m not as impressed with the doing as I am with whatever that innate drive was inside them that said “I’ve got this idea, and you know what, after all this time, I still think it’s amazing and I’m going to actually give it a whirl.”

My passion for ideas is muy fuego for a solid 3–5 days. Then I start game planning, vetting out the idea, overthinking and becoming to critical, poking too many holes, then usually sell myself out of it. Stupid brain.

I guess what I’m pleading to get an answer to is: how the eff do people find these Step 1’s they’re so damn engaged with as time continues on? I have the skill set and know how to at least give Step 2 the old college try, but fuck me if I can’t find something intrinsically motivating to create.