Quote Exploration: The Fastest Way to Get It Done is to Get It Done

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One of the many unique video shoots was at Talladega Superspeedway. My producer and I flew to Alabama to interview a driver as part of a video sponsorship AND display some of the excitement that is Talladega. Speed, professionalism, fun and…sponsorships.

The entire time we we there, we had a limo driver named Ed. He was a cool and calm gentleman. After our second long day working in the sun, he took us to a couple historic sites…the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing site and the park nearby featuring the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King. I had seen documentaries on the bombing and was completely humbled to visit the site. The sadness I felt contrasted the loud car engines and the excitement of the fans at the race track.

I had been up part of the night loading in footage from the day, as it was good practice to load in the night of so you could: A) See what you shot, and re-shoot items if needed. B) Adjust any camera settings for the next day.

Because I knew I would be in bright sun most of the day, I bought an eye piece to mount to my DSLR screen to give me the largest view. I had planned for the sun…however, I didn’t think about the focus of the sun. While walking around, my camera was slung to my body with the eye piece aimed up toward the bright sky, thus burning some pixels on my digital screen. Lesson learned.

The next morning, we all loaded into the limo for a long day ahead. With us was my producer/host, another reporter, and two gentlemen from a media firm…who were our handlers. We spoke with our driver on the plan for the day. He had drop off and pick up times and locations. Traffic was going to be terrible and we needed to be in the best spots for our shots. His response is something I will never forget. “Well, the fastest way to get it done, is to get it done.”

When faced with tasks or goals, it’s easy to delay action—either by overplanning, worrying about the outcome, or waiting for the perfect moment. But as Ed said, “the fastest way to get it done, is to get it done.” This straightforward advice speaks to the power of taking action and cutting through the inertia that slows us down.

1. Eliminates Procrastination

Procrastination is often a result of overthinking or the fear of failure. The longer we wait, the more daunting the task becomes in our minds. By simply starting, you create momentum, which is one of the best ways to beat procrastination. The act of doing, even if it’s just a small step, takes you out of your head and into action.

2. Builds Confidence and Reduces Stress

Stress often arises from tasks left undone. When we take immediate action, we feel a sense of accomplishment, which builds confidence. Every time you finish a task, no matter how small, you reduce the mental load that comes with an ever-growing to-do list. Action provides clarity and breaks down the overwhelming nature of incomplete tasks into manageable steps.

3. Creates Momentum

Starting a task is often the hardest part. Once you begin, even small progress propels you forward. That momentum can then carry over into other tasks, creating a snowball effect of productivity. This is where the phrase holds its weight—the fastest way to complete something is to dive in and keep going until it’s done.

4. Improves Time Management

When you adopt the mindset of “just get it done,” you’re training yourself to prioritize action over perfection. This approach helps you make decisions more quickly and manage your time more effectively. Instead of getting bogged down by unnecessary details, you focus on completing the task at hand and moving on to the next.

5. Leads to Opportunities

Taking action can open doors. When you finish tasks promptly, you create room for new opportunities to arise. People who get things done are often seen as reliable and resourceful, which can lead to trust and new ventures in both personal and professional settings.

6. Fosters a Growth Mindset

The beauty of this philosophy is that it encourages a shift away from perfectionism and toward progress. By consistently acting, you are allowing yourself to learn from the process. You start to view challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow, knowing that action is the fastest route to improvement.

After each long, hot day that weekend I loaded footage in and worked on rough cuts of the videos. Before the flight back, I sat with my producer and reviewed the edits. We had a due date to hit and the edits still had to be reviewed by our media partners. The fastest way to get something done was, indeed, to get it done. By embracing this simple yet powerful mindset, you can conquer procrastination, reduce stress, and unlock new opportunities. The next time you’re faced with a daunting task, remember that the best way to finish it is to start—because taking action is always faster than waiting for the perfect moment. Thanks again Ed.

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