KB Visions

So here’s the thing: I can turn almost anything into a side hustle in my mind. Making coffee? Boom, coffee-tasting YouTube channel. Walking the dog? Obviously, a dog-walking empire waiting to happen. Inventing office equipment that also doubles as snack supply holders. I mean I think that was a good one, for space saving right?  Where else am I going to hide my crackers I eat all day or the skittles? Mini drawers and bins that slide right into lets say the copy machine for instance. Or a little extra space in that stapler to hold the skittles. I think I might be on to something here. Or another side hustle could be folding laundry? Okay, maybe not, unless someone’s paying top dollar for Olympic level sock matching.

The problem isn’t the side hustles themselves. It’s the overthinking. My brain can take a perfectly good idea and spin it into a full-blown, 27-step business plan before I’ve even finished brushing my teeth. It usually takes quite a bit of time to get comfortable enough to just start, if ever. Then, I’m on to the next idea. Ideas are not the problem, I have plenty of them (probably like you do), just ask my husband. When I say, “guess what, I have an idea”, he usually runs. He’s not really the running type, so I know I have said that phrase a lot. He’s heard it a thousand times and knows they usually involve him. He also knows if he waits long enough that “idea” will die out and he will be off the hook because I’ll be on to something else. Lol Sound familiar?

I’ll think:

• What if I spend all this time on it and nothing ever happens?
• What if it actually works and I don’t have enough time to snuggle with my dog anymore?
• Do I need an LLC, a trademark, and a personal assistant named Karen before I even begin?

Meanwhile, my dog is snoozing in the sun, living his best life, and reminding me that sometimes it’s better to just take a nap or better yet take a walk than to spiral into spreadsheets about a side hustle that doesn’t even exist yet. The other thing I realized about overthinkers is, it always seems like everyone else is having all the fun. The non-overthinkers, they just seem to get out there and do whatever it is and worry about the outcome later. Hmm sometimes that doesn’t make sense to my brain (there I am overthinking again)  but what evs…. It seems to work for a lot of people.

Here’s the truth: Overthinking doesn’t build a business. Action does. And sometimes the action is small, posting the thing, making the call, or writing the blog (hi, this one). The dog doesn’t overthink chasing the ball; he just runs. Maybe it’s time for us over thinkers to do the same. Sometimes in the morning when I wake up and I’m writing out my to-do list for the day I actually write down, don’t think-just do. Sounds kind of dumb but at least it’s there and it reminds me throughout the day to just keep going and don’t get hung up on thoughts about doing whatever it is.

So maybe the trick isn’t to stop overthinking completely (because a lot of ideas are kind of fun, entertaining and exciting). Maybe the trick is to catch ourselves mid-stream, laugh at the circus in our head, and then take one small step forward anyway. Remember, don’t think, just do. After all, side hustles don’t build themselves.

Until next time, may your ideas be bold, your overthinking be brief, and your tail wag through it all. 

KB