Ever felt like you’re stuck in your own head, waiting for the “perfect” moment to start something? Whether it’s launching a business, starting a fitness routine, or even planning a trip, perfectionism and overwhelm can keep you frozen in place. The good news? You don’t have to be perfect to make progress.

Here’s how to break free from overthinking and start taking action—whether you’re tackling a passion project, a career move, or just trying to get through your to-do list.

1. Set a “Good Enough” Standard

Perfectionism tricks you into thinking things need to be flawless before they’re worth doing. But the truth? Done is better than perfect.

🔹 If you’re starting a business: Your website doesn’t need to be perfect—just publish it and refine as you go. (Looking at you, Unbound Avenue!)
🔹 If you’re planning a trip: Don’t wait for the perfect itinerary—book the ticket and fill in the details later.
🔹 If you’re trying to work out: You don’t need the best workout plan—just start moving for 10 minutes today.

✔ Action Step: Pick one thing you’re overthinking and ask yourself: What’s the simplest version I can do today?

2. Break It Down into Tiny Steps

Overwhelm happens when you see everything that needs to get done at once. The solution? Micro-steps.

🔹 Instead of saying, “I need to organize my whole house,”
✔ Say: “Today, I’ll declutter one kitchen drawer.”

🔹 Instead of saying, “I need to write a blog,”
✔ Say: “I’ll write for 10 minutes and stop.”

💡 Action Step: Take your goal and break it into a 5-minute task. Once you start, momentum builds naturally.

3. Use the 5-Minute Rule

If starting feels overwhelming, commit to just five minutes of work. Often, you’ll keep going once you begin.

🔹 Trying to meal prep? Chop one vegetable.
🔹 Avoiding emails? Answer just one.
🔹 Want to journal more? Write one sentence.

✔ Action Step: Set a timer for 5 minutes and work on something you’ve been avoiding. Stop if you want—but chances are, you’ll keep going!

4. Set a Deadline & Add Accountability

Perfectionists love tweaking things forever. Set a real deadline and tell someone about it to hold yourself accountable.

🔹 If you’re launching a project → Announce your go-live date.
🔹 If you’re applying for a job → Tell a friend to check in on your progress.
🔹 If you want to work out → Sign up for a class or find a workout buddy.

✔ Action Step: Pick a deadline, tell someone about it, and set a reminder on your phone.

5. Stop Over-Researching and Start Doing

Ever spent hours researching the “best” way to do something—only to feel even more overwhelmed? (Hello, Pinterest rabbit hole!)

🔹 If you want to start a blog: Pick a simple platform and publish your first post. (No need to master SEO on day one!)
🔹 If you’re learning about fitness: Stop reading articles—just do one workout.
🔹 If you want to travel more: Set a savings goal instead of endlessly Googling destinations.

✔ Action Step: Give yourself a 30-minute research limit, then take action on what you’ve learned.

6. Accept Imperfect Action

Your first draft, first workout, or first attempt won’t be perfect—and that’s okay. Success comes from iteration, not hesitation.

🔹 The first blog post? It’ll improve as you write more.
🔹 The first attempt at budgeting? Adjust as you go.
🔹 The first step in decluttering? One drawer at a time.

✔ Action Step: Pick something you’ve been waiting to “perfect” and just do it badly—you’ll improve with time!

7. Celebrate Small Wins

Perfectionists often ignore progress and focus on what’s not done yet. Shift your mindset by tracking small wins.

🔹 Instead of thinking, “I still have so much to do!”
✔ Say: “I made progress today!”

✔ Action Step: Write down one thing you accomplished today—no matter how small.

Final Thoughts

The key to overcoming perfectionism and overwhelm? Action. No matter how small, every step forward builds momentum.

So, what’s one tiny step you can take today? Let’s start now!