You’ve been thinking about it for years, haven’t you?

That thing you really want to do. The thing that could change everything. But instead of moving forward, you find yourself stuck. Stuck in your 9-5, stuck in the cycle of wanting more, and doing less. Trust me, I get it. I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can be to keep thinking about something without actually doing anything about it.

I spent ten years grinding it out in the 9-5 world, dreaming of starting my own business. I wanted more. I wanted freedom. I wanted to create something I could call my own. But the longer I stayed in that job, the more I found myself feeling trapped. The dream started to feel like a nightmare, and the worst part? I wasn’t doing anything about it. I had the desire, I had the plan—but I wasn’t taking action. And that was the hardest part.

Taking action is what changes everything.

It’s not about doing little things like answering emails or making breakfast. I'm talking about the big moves. The moves that push you outside your comfort zone and challenge you to take risks. The actions that move you from the dream into reality.

Here’s the thing, though. Stepping out of your comfort zone is hard. Really hard. I remember when I first started my design agency, I was terrified. It was a huge leap, and I had no idea if it would work out. But here's the secret: That discomfort? That’s where the growth happens. It’s in the stretch zone—the place where you push yourself to learn, develop, and adapt.

At first, everything feels like a struggle.

But over time, the things that once felt uncomfortable become second nature. You learn, you improve, and suddenly, your comfort zone has expanded. And that’s when you know you’re on the right track. It’s not about avoiding discomfort; it’s about learning how to thrive in it.

I spent years trying to avoid taking those big steps. I told myself I didn’t have enough time, I wasn’t good enough, and I was just too overwhelmed. But guess what? That’s all a bunch of excuses. The truth is, if you keep waiting for the perfect moment, it’s never going to come. You have to make the moment happen. You have to take that first step, no matter how scared you feel.

I’m sure you’ve heard all the excuses.

“I don’t have time,” “I’m too tired,” “I don’t know where to start,”—I’ve used them all myself. But the truth is, they’re not reasons, they’re just distractions keeping you stuck.

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So how do you break free from that cycle?

Know your “why.”
For me, the “why” was simple. I wanted out of the 9-5 grind. I wanted the freedom to work on my terms. And when I remembered that, it was easier to push through the fear and take action.

Get a clear vision.
You need to know where you’re headed. If you don’t have a vision of what success looks like, it’s impossible to know what steps to take. Visualise where you want to be in six months, a year, or even five years. What does that success feel like? What’s the next step to get there?

Make a plan.
It’s great to have a vision, but without a plan, you’re just daydreaming. When I decided to go full-time with my agency, I mapped out every step. From marketing to client acquisition to building a portfolio—I made a plan. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me the structure I needed to get started.

Feel the fear, and do it anyway.
Fear is normal. Whether it’s the fear of failure or the fear of success, it’s all part of the process. I was terrified to leave my stable job, but I did it. And now, I look back and realise that fear was just a signal I was doing something that mattered. Every successful business owner has faced that fear—they just chose to act anyway.

Create structure and discipline.
When you’re your own boss, you have to be your own motivator. It’s easy to let distractions take over—whether it’s scrolling social media or finding something else to do. You need to make a schedule, set clear goals, and stick to it. If you say you’re going to work on something, do it. If you need to block out two hours to write that proposal or set up your website, commit to it. Discipline is key.

Limit distractions.
Distractions are everywhere. If I didn’t put my phone on Do Not Disturb mode, I wouldn’t get anything done. Figure out what pulls you away from your goals and find a way to avoid it. It’s that simple.

Find a creative design studio

Pingd will help bring your vision to life with a unique and rebellious approach.- Pingd

I’m not going to sugarcoat it—there will be days when you want to quit. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll wonder if you made the right choice. But that’s part of the journey. There’s no perfect time to start, but there’s no better time than now.

In ten years, do you want to look back and regret not taking that leap? Do you want to still be stuck in the same place, wishing you had taken action? Or do you want to be able to say you chased your dream, made it happen, and created something you’re proud of?

Don’t let the fear or the excuses stop you. The world is full of people who dream but never act. Don’t be one of them. Take action today. Start small, but start. Because your future self will thank you for it.

So what’s your next step? Let’s get moving, if you have an idea that you want to bring to life we're here to help. Pingd helps people put those thoughts to paper. We create branding that stands out in today's crowded market, we bring visions to life and help you get your brand strategy nailed.

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