Why speed and execution are your greatest competitive advantages
Read time: 3 minutes
The trap most people fall into
There’s a pattern I’ve started noticing recently: people overthinking, procrastinating, and getting stuck in “preparation mode” rather than “execution mode”. I’ve seen people spend months optimising a plan, obsessing over the latest productivity hack, debating complex mental models, endlessly planning their next big move, or doing nothing at all and waiting for the perfect moment to act.
Meanwhile, those who succeed have one thing in common: they move quickly, act decisively, and get the obvious work done.
They don’t wait for the perfect moment or get lost in complicated frameworks. They take action and just do the thing.
In today’s world:
- Competition is fierce.
- Attention spans are short.
- Opportunities disappear in an instant.
The person who follows up first gets the deal. The founder who adapts the fastest wins the market. The creator who engages immediately builds the audience.
In a world where time is currency, speed is a competitive edge—and the ability to act quickly has never been more valuable. Whether we like it or not: if we’re not actively pushing forward, we’re potentially falling behind.
3 Ways to build a habit of relentless execution
1. Do the obvious work
People spend hours looking for the perfect strategy, but success often comes from just doing the obvious things.
That means sitting down each day and asking a simple question such as:
What are the one or two most obvious things I need to do today to serve my customers better and grow my business?
Then, doing those things. No overthinking or waiting for the perfect moment. Just execution.
The answer will most likely come down to serving customers better, improving the product, or finding effective ways to market it.
So that’s where the focus should be.
Action: Start every day by writing down two tasks that, if done today, would create the most impact. Prioritise executing on those tasks.
2. Adopt the mindset that everything is figureoutable
Too often, people hit an obstacle that stops them in their tracks. They overanalyse, second-guess themselves, and let perfectionism slow their momentum.
I used to be like this too; I still consider myself a recovering perfectionist.
A key trait I’ve seen in the most successful people is the belief that whatever challenge arises, they can figure it out along the way.
This is a really underrated mindset in my opinion, and something I look for in people joining my team. It frees you from paralysis and allows you to take action quickly, knowing that done is better than perfect.
You test, you fail, and you try again.
Action: The next time you feel stuck, commit to finding one way forward. Whether it’s through research, or trial and error—take a first step, and trust that you’ll learn as you go.
3. Move fast and act with urgency
Something I’ve learnt the hard way (more than once!) is that time kills momentum. Businesses don’t just fail because of bad ideas—they fail because they move too slowly.
- Responding slowly to customers
- Ignoring a comment on social media
- Not replying to a client email with a potential deal
Whether you’re launching a business, growing an audience, or making a key decision, speed matters. Work expands to fill the time you give it. Those who move fast create momentum, learn faster, and capitalise on opportunities before they disappear.
Action: Develop a habit of fast response times. Follow up on leads the same day. If something feels like it should take a week, challenge yourself to do it in three days.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, success doesn’t come from the most complex strategies; it comes from taking action quickly, consistently, and intentionally.
I’m still working on this myself, but I know for sure that the speed at which you operate can be the difference between thriving and just surviving. Those who win aren’t necessarily the smartest or most talented. They’re the ones who do the work, figure things out, and move fast.
So if you want to push ahead, stop overthinking and start doing. The future belongs to those who execute.
Hope that was helpful!
Speak soon,
Dupé
PS: whenever you're ready, feel free to enquire about working together: Get guidance on how to be more visible and grow your brand. Whether you’re looking for 1:1 coaching, or ready-to-post content, hit reply and let’s chat!
