Just Do The Work

It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you’re getting things done when, in reality, you’re avoiding the most core and impactful work. I fell into this trap early in my career and even outside of work. I’d be lying if I said I don’t still catch myself doing it. Busy work that dances around the core thing can feel like progress: planning, structuring, organizing, answering all the “what ifs.” But it can become a dangerous spiral of nothing.

The antidote? Actually getting into the work. Simply start. Write that design doc even if every open question isn’t answered. Go to that workout even if the plan isn’t perfect. For me, it’s just writing this post without worrying if it’s perfect. I’ve found that chasing iteration, building momentum, and moving forward—rather than perfection—helps. That doesn’t mean being reckless, though—being calculated is still important.

One thing that helps me avoid this trap is a prioritization framework. The Eisenhower Matrix has been especially useful. I don’t fuss over the details of it, though. The core philosophy is what matters: being intentional about what’s truly important and will move me forward, instead of the busy work that just fills the time. That’s how I try to figure out what’s worth doing and notice when I’m stuck in tasks that won’t help me get started or keep going.