Starting a business is exhilarating, but it’s also overwhelming.

For first-time entrepreneurs, the flood of advice, checklists, and must-dos can quickly turn inspiration into paralysis. The good news? You don’t need to tackle everything at once to make progress. By focusing on the essentials, you can shift from overwhelmed to organized and set yourself up for sustainable success.

The Overwhelm Is Real (and Normal)

If you’ve ever felt stuck while trying to plan your business, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs start with a vision, only to find themselves buried in conflicting advice or distracted by countless tasks competing for their attention.

Take it from someone who’s been there. Often I spent days reading article after article on a single topic, searching for the perfect solution for my business. Instead of clarity, I felt more confused than ever.

Each piece of advice brought up new concerns I hadn’t considered, pulling me further away from my goals. It wasn’t until I stepped back, gave myself time to rest, and refocused on the big picture that I finally broke free of the cycle.

The lesson? Just getting started, even without all the answers, beats endless searching for the perfect plan.

Simplify and Prioritize: The 3-Step Method

To break free from overwhelm and start making progress, follow these three steps:

1. Clarify Your Vision

Before diving into tasks, it’s important to reconnect with the bigger picture. Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What’s the core purpose of your business?
• Who do you want to serve, and what problem are you solving?

Your vision is your North Star. It’s the foundation that will guide your decisions and keep you focused on what matters most. When you clarify your vision, it helps filter out distractions and gives you the confidence to move forward with purpose.

But there’s more to this—understanding your “why”. Your “why” is the reason you’re doing all of this in the first place. It could be about building a flexible lifestyle, becoming your own boss, or making an impact in the world.

Knowing your “why” will keep you motivated during the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and help you make decisions that are aligned with your ultimate goals.

2. Break It Down

Big dreams can feel unmanageable, but breaking them into smaller, actionable steps can make them achievable. Start with:

• One main goal for the next 90 days. For example, launching your website or creating a business plan.
• Weekly tasks that align with your goal. Choose one goal and break it down into weekly actionable tasks. Focus on a few key actions rather than an endless to-do list.

3. Leverage Tools and Support

No entrepreneur succeeds alone. Here are a few support resources you can use to help you start building system that make your journey smoother:

• Delegation team: These are people in your squad who are willing and able to take tasks off your plate. They could include family, friends, assistant, service provider, or consultant.
• Project management tools: Platforms like Trello or Asana help organize your tasks and deadlines.
• Mentors or courses: Programs like Ready Set Grow’s Entrepreneurial Fitness Module 1 provide structured guidance tailored to your stage.
• Community: Join online groups or attend networking events to learn from peers and share experiences.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to feel like we need to have 100% of the answers before we act. Some experts say you should act when you have only 70% of the information. To me, that’s a tad riskier than what I’m comfortable with, so my number is somewhat higher than 70%.

For you, my suggestion is to figure out what your number is and then try reducing that number. For example, if you are a person who likes to have all information before acting, then try reducing that a bit to 98%. Once you’ve mastered that, then reduce a bit more to 96%. Keep reducing until you notice a clear difference in how you progress.

Just remember, waiting for perfection often means zero progress. Instead, aim for progress that is consistent and incremental. Each small step builds momentum and brings you closer to your goals.

When I finally changed my ways and let go of the idea of perfection, I found a sort of freedom in moving ahead a lot faster on average. Making decisions with the best information available does not result in my plans working flawlessly. But the point is, I do make progress. And that’s what matters—progress over perfection.

Your Next Step

Feeling ready to take action? Start by setting aside just 30 minutes today to write down your top goal for the next month. Then, break it into weekly tasks and prioritize the first step. Remember, simplicity is key—you don’t need to do it all at once.

At Ready Set Grow, we specialize in helping first-time entrepreneurs like you overcome overwhelm and take confident, purposeful steps toward success. Explore our Entrepreneurial Fitness training module. It teaches practical strategies, mindset tools, and provides a supportive community to guide your journey. See also our blog on The Mindset Makeover: 5 Transformational Habits for Aspiring Entrepreneurs.

Ready to simplify your entrepreneurial journey?

Pre-purchase Module 1: Entrepreneurial Fitness to access exclusive early-bird pricing and save up to $900. Take the first step toward clarity, confidence, and business success today! Training starts June 9, 2025.