Stop Waiting to Feel Like It – Be a Do Person

In my years of leading, teaching, and coaching, I’ve noticed a simple truth: people fall into one of two categories — feel people or do people.

A feel person takes action only when they’re “in the mood.” If they feel motivated, they go for it. If they don’t, they wait for the right moment — which often never comes. The problem is that feelings are unpredictable. They can be swayed by the weather, the people around you, or even what you had for breakfast.

A do person, on the other hand, acts regardless of how they feel. They understand that motivation is just a feeling — and feelings fade — but discipline is a decision. They don’t wait for the stars to align or for a burst of inspiration. They do what needs to be done because it needs to be done. That mindset builds consistency, and consistency builds results.

Real-Life Example: The Gym Test

Let’s take working out as an example. A feel person wakes up, feels a little tired, and says, “I’ll go to the gym tomorrow.” A do person wakes up, feels tired, and says, “I’m going anyway.” By the end of the week, the feel person has worked out once — maybe twice — while the do person has put in five sessions, no matter how they felt. Guess who sees results?

The same principle applies to leadership. If you only hold your team accountable, have the tough conversations, or follow up on goals when you feel like it, your people will see inconsistency — and they’ll match it. But if you lead with steady, intentional action, even on the hard days, you set a standard others will rise to meet.

How to Become a Do Person

1. Start Small and Build Wins
   Don’t try to overhaul your whole life in one week. Pick one small action — making your bed, going for a 10-minute walk, writing one page of a report — and commit to doing it every day for a week. Small, consistent wins create the foundation for bigger wins.

2. Separate Action from Emotion
   When a task comes up, stop asking yourself, “Do I feel like doing this?” Instead, ask, “Does this need to be done?” If the answer is yes, do it.

3. Use the “Two-Minute Rule”
   If something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This rewires your brain to act quickly instead of negotiating with yourself.

4. Track Your Follow-Through
   Keep a visible record — a calendar, journal, or checklist — of every time you followed through despite not feeling like it. Seeing your streak grow creates momentum you won’t want to break.

5. Hold Yourself Publicly Accountable
   Tell someone what you’re going to do — and by when. A little external pressure can keep you moving on the days when motivation runs dry.

Why This Matters for Leaders

In leadership, your people are always watching. If they see you showing up, pushing through, and taking action regardless of your mood, they’ll trust you more. They’ll also be more likely to follow your example. Leaders who are do people create cultures of accountability, discipline, and momentum.

Motivation is a great spark — but sparks die out. Discipline keeps the fire burning.

So stop waiting to feel ready. Start acting like a do person today. Over time, the results you create will not only surprise you — they’ll inspire everyone around you to raise their own standard.

- Dean Crisp