Empowering Emerging Leaders to get your most important things done with Navy-Honed Processes. Retired U.S. Navy Captain and Leadership Coach.
Resending: You’re a Winner Either Way!
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Hi Reader, Bottom Line Up Front: Pick any important task and start now for just 5-15 minutes—you’re a winner the moment you take action! Feeling buried under a pile of to-do lists, projects, and important tasks? Do you ever freeze because you’re not sure which one to tackle first, only to watch them pile up until they’re urgent? I’ve been there, and I’ve got the t-shirt to prove it. If you’re thinking, “Okay, Captain Obvious, but how do I break the cycle?”—here’s the game-changer: You’re a winner either way. Pick any important task and dive in. It doesn’t matter which one—you’ll be successful because you’re making progress. When you’ve got a list of important (but not urgent) tasks, overthinking which one is “most important” wastes time. Instead, pick one and give it 5-15 minutes. That small action creates momentum, sparks a dopamine hit, and sets you up for success. The win isn’t in choosing the “perfect” task—it’s in starting. Example: Three important tasks on my plate today:
No matter which I pick, I’m winning. Any important task you start makes you a winner. When I first reported to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (“TR”) as a new officer, I was overwhelmed. Fresh off submarine duty, I was now on an aircraft carrier with 5,000+ people and a mountain of responsibilities. Urgent tasks got done, but the important ones? They sat until they became urgent too. Then I watched my Department Head. He didn’t agonize over priority—he just started on something important and got it done. That’s when it hit me: You don’t need to overthink it—just start. Any important task you tackle is a win. I’ve led, coached, or worked with thousands in the Navy, business, and non-profits—and 90% wrestle with this exact overwhelm. But here’s the truth: You’re already a winner. The moment you take action, you’re making a difference. I’ll never forget boarding a plane to Iraq with a rag-tag team of volunteers for a six-month mission. As we walked to the aircraft, a crowd lined up, shaking our hands and saying, “You’ve already made a difference.” Their message? You’re a winner just for showing up and starting.
Your Next Step Grab your list of goals or your to-do list. Pick one important task—maybe it’s drafting an email, planning a meeting, or taking a walk to get in some steps to improve your fitness. Set a timer for 5 minutes and start. Bonus: Another Reason You’re a Winner Either Way Here’s the extra win you might not have seen coming: Finishing any item from your important list makes you a winner—twice. Not only do you win by starting, you win again by getting it done. No more paralysis over “which important thing is more important.” Just decide, pick one, and finish it. That’s victory on two fronts. (I’ll dive deeper into this “double-win” mindset in a future newsletter—stay tuned.) What’s your next important task? Reply to this newsletter and let me know—I’d love to cheer you on as you build momentum! Keep winning, Michael
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To Getting It Done Leadership
Empowering Emerging Leaders to get your most important things done with Navy-Honed Processes. Retired U.S. Navy Captain and Leadership Coach.
Hi Reader, Bottom Line Up Front: Clarity + Momentum + Results = Success (and it’s simpler than most people make it). You’re juggling 17 hats, board members directing from the sidelines, staff burning out, mission stalling — and the overwhelm is winning more days than you’d like to admit. You want to wake up with breathing room, lead with calm confidence, watch your team thrive, and actually see your mission grow — without more hours or more coffee. That’s the transformation I’ve seen in over...
Hi Reader, Bottom Line Up Front: Clarity + Momentum + Results = Success (and it’s simpler than most people make it). You’re juggling 17 hats, board members directing from the sidelines, staff burning out, mission stalling — and the overwhelm is winning more days than you’d like to admit. You want to wake up with breathing room, lead with calm confidence, watch your team thrive, and actually see your mission grow — without more hours or more coffee. That’s the transformation I’ve seen in over...
Let’s change your story to clarity, momentum, and real results in 2026 — without the overwhelm! Grab my book “To Getting It Done” direct from me for $5.99 (instant download — beats other websites). You’ll get: • 38 Navy-proven tools to crush obstacles and goals • Daily planning processes that actually work (tested on submarines & aircraft carriers) • Humor, sea stories, and inspiration to stay motivated • Strategies that already saved non-profits $325K+ First 5 buyers this week get a free...