Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Progress: Why Being Good at Stuff Can Paralyze You

“I should totally build that carpooling app for parents. It’s such a good idea.”

Actually, didn’t I hear a podcast about AI agents that build apps for you?

That podcast was great.
Maybe I should start a podcast.
I could interview cool authors.
God, I’d love to be on a podcast.

Maybe I should write a book.
I’ve always wanted to write a novel...

You blink.
An hour has passed.
Nothing’s been done — but mentally, you’ve launched five businesses, recorded a podcast, and won a literary award.

This is what it’s like to be capable and curious — but caught in the trap of too many good ideas.

Welcome to the paradox of choice. And its quieter, sneakier cousin: idea hoarding.

The Problem with Being Good at Stuff

It sounds like a nice problem to have. You’re creative. Driven. Full of ideas.

But the more you believe you could do, the harder it becomes to choose what you should do.

Psychologist Barry Schwartz, in his book The Paradox of Choice, explains why this happens:

“Learning to choose is hard. Learning to choose well is harder. And learning to choose well in a world of unlimited possibilities is harder still — perhaps too hard.”

When we’re overwhelmed by options, we don’t feel free — we feel stuck.
And when you care about the outcome, it’s even worse. The pressure to choose right becomes paralyzing.

Why This Hits Especially Hard for Multi-Passionate People

When you have talent, ideas, and curiosity, you naturally collect opportunities like a hobby:

• A killer name for a product

• A brilliant domain idea

• A half-written book proposal

• A mental business plan you’ve pitched to your dog

And because they all seem viable, none get your full attention.
You keep everything on standby. Which means… nothing really moves.

As Adam Grant writes:

“Too much exploration can become procrastination.”

That’s the paradox: the more possibilities you see, the harder it is to take action on any of them.

The Mental Toll of “Open Loops”

Psychologists call it decision fatigue — the deterioration of our ability to make decisions after being exposed to too many.

The brain tries to keep every open idea available — just in case.
But all those unfinished thoughts create mental noise.
And that noise drains focus, confidence, and motivation.

You feel like you're doing something by thinking about everything, but in reality?
You're just treading water.

How to Break Out of It (Without Deleting All Your Ideas)

Here’s a simple, no-fluff method to reduce overwhelm and choose where to focus:

1. Pick the Idea You’d Regret Not Doing

Forget what's practical or trendy.
What idea would make you jealous if someone else launched it?

Ask: “If I could only keep one idea, which would I fight to protect?”

That’s the one worth your time right now.

2. Commit to 72 Hours

Set a micro-deadline.
Don’t “plan to start.” Don’t build a mood board. Don’t open a new tool.
Do the work.

• Build a landing page.

• Write the intro.

• Draft the post.

• Send the cold email.

Give it three days. No switching. No peeking at the others.

3. Let the Rest Wait (Seriously, Wait)

Write your other ideas down. Archive them if you must.
But don’t touch them this week.

They are not your backup plan.
They are not your inspiration.
They are just distractions right now — dressed up as opportunities.

Final Thought: You Don’t Need More Ideas. You Need a Filter.

Half-starting ten projects is not the same as finishing one.
You’re not lacking discipline. You’re not lacking motivation.

You’re just stuck in a loop of “maybe this, maybe that.”

Pick something.
Let it breathe.
Give it a real shot.

And trust this: if the others are really that good?
They’ll come find you later.

Next week: how to test any idea in 72 hours for under $150 (the Tom Bilyeu method).

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