This used to cost me hours. Sometimes days.

Any time I had a project I wanted to get done, I’d try to solve the entire thing in my head before starting. I didn’t want to do it wrong. I didn’t want to make a mistake. And part of that comes from my training as an attorney, where you’re taught to think through every possible outcome.

The problem was, I wasn’t doing anything.

I was stuck in what I call “getting ready to get ready” mode. The more I analyzed, the more overwhelming the project felt. So I’d avoid it, distract myself, or find something easier to do with a quicker reward. Meanwhile, the original project just sat there, untouched.

What finally clicked for me was realizing I had no results because nothing was actually in motion. No progress. No feedback. Just frustration and beating myself up for not being further along.

If I were coaching someone through the problem of not getting projects done, this is exactly what I’d tell them.

First, stop trying to solve the entire project at once.

A professor once explained it in a way that stuck with me: don’t try to eat the whole elephant. Eat it piece by piece. When you try to tackle everything at once, you exhaust yourself before you ever get started. But when you focus on one small piece, momentum starts to build naturally.

Second, use the five-minute rule.

Instead of sitting there analyzing, commit to working on the project for just five minutes. That’s it. When the five minutes are up, you decide whether to keep going.

Most of the time, once you start, five minutes turns into thirty. Or an hour. Sometimes more. And even when it doesn’t, progress is still progress.

It was the combination of those two things that changed everything for me. And honestly, even doing just one of them would help.

That’s what finally gave me hours back.

Let’s Connect
If this resonated, you can reach Vinnie at Vinnie@LifeCoachVinnie.com or connect with him on Facebook or Instagram.

About Vinnie Merz
​Vinnie Merz is a life coach who helps high-performers take control of their anxiety and achieve their goals. With a background in law, real estate, and leadership, he understands how overthinking and perfectionism can quietly stall progress. His work focuses on helping people simplify their internal dialogue so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.