I’m willing to admit that most of the time, I don’t know exactly what I’m doing. It’s a challenge to figure things out.
That’s not modesty; it’s just the truth. Whether it’s starting a new project, chasing a fresh goal, or exploring a new idea, my starting point is always the same: total uncertainty. I usually feel like I’m about three steps away from a graceful faceplant.
But here’s the secret: The difference between getting things done and getting stuck isn’t knowledge—it’s how you handle that uncertainty and figure things out.
The Procrastination Trap
Most people respond to the “I don’t know what I’m doing” feeling by seeking more information. They:
- Over-research until they have 50 open tabs and a headache.
- Hunt for the “perfect” method as if it’s hidden in a Reddit thread.
- Wait until they feel “ready” (Spoiler: you never feel ready).
That’s how you stay stuck. Researching is often just procrastination wearing a trench coat and carrying a clipboard. It feels like work, but it’s actually just a way to avoid the risk of being wrong.
The Framework: Simplify → Test → Adjust
When I’m in over my head, I use a dead-simple loop to find my footing. I don’t need to be an expert; I need to follow the steps.
🔹 Step 1: Simplify
Before I do anything, I strip the problem down to its skeleton. If you can’t explain it, you don’t understand it yet. I ignore the 50 “pro tips” and look for the 2 or 3 things that actually matter.
- SEO: It’s not about complex algorithms; it’s just Content + Keywords + Consistency.
- Fitness: It’s not about the perfect heart-rate zone; it’s Show up + Lift + Recover.
- Cooking: It’s not gourmet chemistry; it’s Heat + Seasoning + Timing.
🔹 Step 2: Test
Then, I try something. Not the best thing, just the next thing. Action gives you better information than thinking ever will.
- Survivor training: I don’t read about it for months; I try the workout and see what breaks first (usually my ego).
- Candle business: I don’t hire a consultant; I make a small batch, show them to people, and see if they actually want to buy them
- Cooking: I conceptualize a recipe, then I test on my family to see if it works. This allows me to take the good, omit the bad, learn from my mistakes.
🔹 Step 3: Adjust
This is where most people quit, but it’s where the “figuring it out” actually happens. I look at the wreckage of my first attempt and ask:
- What worked?
- What didn’t?
- What actually mattered vs. what I thought would matter?
Every failed attempt or “okay” result sharpens the next one. You’re not failing; you’re just gathering data.
Real-World Evidence (The “Messy” Middle)
I’ve used this for everything.
When I started building websites, I didn’t take a four-year course. I broke a few pages, googled why they were broken, and fixed them. When I changed my workouts, I didn’t wait for a personal trainer; I started moving, noticed my knees hurt, and adjusted my form. When I experiment with recipes, I accept that the first one might be “edible” at best.
I’m not a genius; I’m just willing to be bad at things until I’m not.
The Mindset Shift
The biggest hurdle isn’t a lack of skill—it’s a lack of permission.
I don’t wait until I know what I’m doing to start. I figure it out by doing.
We’ve been conditioned to think that clarity comes before action. It’s the other way around. Clarity is the reward for taking action. You don’t see the path by standing at the trailhead with a pair of binoculars; you see it by walking into the woods.
If you’re currently stuck, it’s probably not because the task is too hard. It’s because you’re trying to understand the entire map before you’ve even put on your shoes.
- Start simpler than you think is necessary.
- Try something—anything—today.
- Adjust based on what happens.
That’s the whole “secret.” That’s how you figure things out. Now, go ahead and break something and see what you learn.
