What I Learned This Week: When “We’ll Get to It” Becomes the Problem

The What If Journal: Reflections from a leader in progress

Lately, I’ve been noticing a pattern — in conversations with friends, with teams, with other leaders… and if I’m honest, in myself.

It’s the “we’ll get to it” mentality.

The idea gets named. The issue gets acknowledged. Everyone nods. We all agree it matters. And then… nothing really happens. We move on, feeling like progress was made simply because it was discussed.

I find myself doing this more than I’d like to admit. I’ll spin my wheels, talk something through, think about it from every angle — and still never take a clear step forward. It’s not that I don’t care. It’s usually just a lack of follow-through and the absence of a simple action step.

And I don’t think I’m alone.

So many times, we push things off because it feels easier in the moment. Today’s to-do list is already full, so we convince ourselves that next week will be a better time. But in reality, all we’re doing is creating a longer list for later — and calling it wisdom.

Fear plays a role too. Committing to action feels risky. Once you decide, you’re accountable. You can’t hide behind “we’re still thinking about it.” So instead, we delay. We discuss. We revisit. We keep things open-ended.

Sometimes, I even catch myself researching better productivity systems instead of actually being productive. I’ll read articles, save frameworks, tweak my task list — all while the real work sits untouched. It looks like movement, but it’s really just motion without direction.

The Leadership Reflection

At some point, leadership requires more than clarity — it requires commitment.

Most of us don’t need more information. We don’t need a new system, a better process, or a different framework. We already know what needs to be done. What we’re missing is the willingness to decide and take the next step.

Action doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Often, it’s just naming the very next thing and actually doing it. One email sent. One conversation scheduled. One decision made. Momentum usually follows action — not the other way around.

When we live in “we’ll get to it” mode, we quietly train ourselves (and our teams) that nothing is urgent and nothing is owned. But when we lead with even small acts of follow-through, it builds trust, confidence, and forward movement.

I’m learning that progress isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing something.

The What If

What if what you need right now isn’t a better system or more clarity — but the courage to commit to the one action you already know needs to happen?