“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” — Henry David Thoreau

There’s one skill that separates the people who make things happen from the people who are still waiting for their shot.

It’s not talent.

It’s not luck.

It’s not even intelligence.

It’s something far simpler — but way harder to master:

The Skill of Starting Ugly.

What is Starting Ugly?

Starting ugly means taking action before you’re ready.

It’s writing the blog post before you know how to “write.”

It’s launching the business before your logo is perfect.

It’s recording that first awkward video when your setup is trash.

People who win don’t wait to be perfect — they jump in, get messy, and improve as they go.

Why Most People Stay Stuck

Most people fall into the trap of “getting ready to get ready.”

They convince themselves:

👉 “I’ll start when I have the perfect idea…”

👉 “I just need one more course…”

👉 “I’ll wait until I have more time…”

The truth?

Perfection is a lie. The longer you wait to start, the harder it gets.

How to Start Ugly (And Still Win Big)

1️⃣ Do the Thing Once — Badly

→ Write the blog, post the video, pitch the deal — whatever it is, do it poorly on purpose just to break the ice.

2️⃣ Use a ‘First Draft’ Mindset

→ Stop thinking, “This has to be amazing.” Instead, say, “This is my rough draft — I’ll improve later.”

3️⃣ Embrace Cringe Mode

→ If you aren’t a little embarrassed by your first attempt, you waited too long.

Why It Works

✅ Action creates momentum. Every messy attempt builds skill.

✅ Imperfect action beats perfect ideas. The market rewards doers, not thinkers.

✅ Failing fast means learning fast. Each attempt gives you data to improve.

The Best Part?

Most people are so scared to start ugly that they never start at all.

That’s your advantage.

Because while they’re still stuck overthinking… you’re out there making moves.

I’m Doing This Right Now…

This newsletter? It’s my ugly first draft.

I could’ve waited until I had the “perfect” writing style, layout, or format… but I knew I’d probably never start if I did that.

Instead, I’m figuring it out as I go — sharing what I know, testing ideas, and building momentum.

And if you know someone who’s trying to build something too — whether it’s a business, a side hustle, or just a better version of themselves — invite them to join us.

👉 Share this link to subscribe and help them start their own journey!

Start ugly. Fix it later. Win anyway.

~ George

PS – Your first attempt might be awful… but hey, at least you’ll have a great “Before” picture for your success story.