I’m always intrigued by the question, What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

It’s commonly asked by motivational speakers to coax us out of our cozy comfort zones. Over the years, I’ve noticed that fear of failure isn’t what holding me back. It’s the fear of feeling overwhelmed.

For me, the state of overwhelm is paralyzing. Often one good idea balloons into something both magical and completely unmanageable in minutes. Imagining the possibilities, I struggle to focus. I can’t pick a starting point. So, I don’t. Too often, I just stay in planning mode. I add things to my list to feel productive while I procrastinate.

So, for me, the better question is: What would you do if you knew you could keep it simple?

And simple doesn’t mean small or less than. It means picking one or two ways to get from A to B. It means not fretting over making the “right” decision when the right decision is an unknowable thing. It’s remembering that the only wrong move is nothing at all.

“Keep it simple” is the directive I’ve given myself as I build my coaching practice. It’s remembering that my goal is to coach. It’s about doing the work I love. It’s hitting the core of what matters most to me- walking side by side with someone as they search, find, and move towards what they want most.

I’ll know I’m stuck when I stop. That’s my signal to comb out the tangles and take things off the list. And simply start again.