Why those who move first usually get further
Read time: 7 minutes
Last year, I met up with an old colleague for a drink. She told me she'd been unhappy in her job for well over a year. Her dream was to leave and start her own agency.
A few months later, we caught up again, and almost nothing had changed.
She still wanted to leave.
But she was still refining her portfolio, updating her website, and waiting for the timing to feel right.
I completely understood.
I stayed in medicine for about two years longer than I should have because I was waiting for the right time too.
But one thing I've realised is that momentum doesn't come from thinking, it comes from moving.
Too many of us spend months preparing, tweaking and planning.
Meanwhile, other people—sometimes with less experience—are already making progress because they got started.
Here are four habits that have helped me build more momentum.
1. Create urgency around the things that matter
I've seen great ideas lose energy simply because they weren't acted upon. The longer something sits on your to-do list, the easier it becomes to keep postponing it.
I've found that momentum comes from shortening the gap between deciding and doing.
Action: If something feels like a "next week" task, ask yourself whether it could become a "today" task instead.
2. Focus on the next step, not the whole journey
When we feel overwhelmed, it's usually because we're trying to solve twenty problems at once. Most of the time, though, the next step is pretty obvious.
You don't need the full roadmap. You just need to know what moves things forward today.
Action: At the beginning of the day, choose the two tasks that will make the biggest difference, and do those first.
3. Let people see what you're working on
One mistake I made for years was assuming the work and the outcome would speak for itself. But it rarely does.
Sharing your thinking, your progress and what you're learning creates visibility and opportunity before you need them.
It's not about bragging, showing off, or self-indulgence. It's about making it easier for the right people to find you.
Action: This week, share one lesson, project or idea you've been keeping to yourself.
4. Trust yourself to figure things out
I'm convinced that the people who make the fastest progress aren't always the ones with the most knowledge. They're the ones who believe they'll work things out as they go.
AI has made this even more true.
Whether it's learning a new skill, solving a problem or testing an idea, there are now more tools than ever to help you move forward. You don't need every answer before you begin.
Action: The next time you feel stuck, ask yourself: "What's the smallest step I could take today?" Then take it.
The takeaway
The people who get ahead aren't always the smartest, most experienced, or best prepared. Far from it; they're the ones who take action, learn quickly, and keep building momentum.
I'm still learning this myself, but I know for sure that speed and execution are a genuine advantage.
So if you’ve been stuck in "thinking" mode, take this as your sign to get started, move quickly, and trust yourself to figure it out along the way.
What's one thing you've been putting off for months that you're finally going to start this week? Hit reply and let me know. I read every reply.
Hope this helps!
Speak soon,
Dupé
