2025 Half Gone. Now What?

In partnership with

Hey, it’s Will here……

Alright, let's cut the BS and get real... (but with a few laughs along the way)

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025?

Whether you’re totally crushing your goals or still figuring things out, action and momentum are key for the second half.

Over the past few weeks, we've been talking about the stuff that's really holding you back and what it takes to break through the noise and uncertainty.

Perhaps the perfectionism trap is holding you back, causing you to revise your landing page for the 47th time instead of finally launching it.

Maybe the "guru" advice seems inspiring, but leaves you feeling more puzzled than a tourist trying to navigate the Tokyo subway system.

Perhaps the dream blockers who hide their fear behind the phrase "being realistic" (just like your Uncle Bob, who still thinks the internet is just a passing trend).

And most importantly—why you keep getting stuck instead of taking action.

Well, guess what? That conversation ends today.

While we've been diving into things holding you back and taking you off target, 2025 has been flying by faster than your motivation on a Monday morning. We're officially at the halfway point, and you've got a choice to make.

You can keep analyzing why you're stuck, as if you're writing a PhD thesis on procrastination, or you can start moving.

The clock is ticking, and your competition isn't waiting for you to figure out your "perfect morning routine."

So here's your mid-year reality check: Stop overthinking. Start doing.

What I'm about to share isn't more theory to add to your "I'll read this later" bookmark folder—it's a proven system to actually implement.

But only if you're ready to stop making excuses and start making progress.

Still with me? Good. Let's get to work.

➡️ This Changes Everything…..

Okay, humor me for, let’s say, exactly 60 seconds.

No more perfectionist paralysis (yes, that's a real thing, and yes, you probably have it).

No more waiting for the "right time" (spoiler alert: there isn't one).

No more listening to people who have never built what you're trying to build (looking at you again, Uncle Bob).

Just raw and absolute truth. Ask yourself these questions, search for the answers, and put in the effort!

✅ Question 1: What are your THREE biggest wins this year?

Take a moment to jot them down! Even if they feel smaller than the crowd you faced at your high school graduation, that’s perfectly okay.

If you’re struggling to think of three things, that’s a sign to pause and reflect. It seems you might have been so caught up in recognizing the negatives that you've overlooked the positives.

Remember, it’s just like focusing on that one burnt piece of toast instead of savoring the delicious breakfast you created!

✅ Question 2: What TWO tasks have you been avoiding?

You know exactly what those things are! They're like that show on Netflix that you keep saying you’ll watch next week but never actually do.

It's that important conversation you’ve been putting off, or that system you want to build.

It’s the little things that suddenly make you realize you really need to sort out your sock drawer, tidy up your email inbox, or look up the "best productivity apps" for the umpteenth time.

✅ Question 3: This is the big one: which task, process, or situation makes you feel like you just wrestled a bear while doing your taxes?

Maybe it involves manually doing something that should be automated (like sending the same email 47 times).

Perhaps it's addressing a problem you keep avoiding (like that client who pays you in "exposure").

Maybe it's attempting to manage everything in your head rather than using actual systems (because apparently you think you're a human computer).

Got your answers?

Okay, here's what they say: If you’ve had difficulty achieving wins, focus on tracking progress rather than problems.

If you face more than two avoidance tasks, fear is dictating your choices. Fear makes a poor leader—it avoids risks and consistently opts for safety, which often leads to poor outcomes.

If you experience several energy drains, you're losing productivity, much like a smartphone with 47 apps open in the background.

The good news? All of this is fixable. Fast.

The better news? You're about to learn exactly how to fix it without needing a PhD in business psychology.

➡️ Moving the Needle…

Let’s skip the guesswork and get you a personalized roadmap.

You know, I could offer you some generic advice that often feels as fitting as a one-size-fits-all swimsuit. But why stop there?

Let's get creative and use AI to craft a plan that's tailor-made just for YOUR unique and beautifully complex business situation.

Copy this prompt into ChatGPT or your favorite AI tool and fill in the blanks:

Pro Tip: Rather than simply reading the AI output and nodding as if deep in thought about life’s mysteries, why not take a screenshot and place it somewhere you'll notice it every day?

It could be your phone wallpaper, on your bathroom mirror, or even a fun little reminder (okay, tattooing it on your forehead might be a bit much!).

And there's an even better idea: why not set a phone reminder to check in on your progress with this plan every day for the next week?

After all, having accountability can really outshine motivation, just like scissors triumph over paper in that classic game!

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

️ Three Moves That Get Results……

Forget the guru nonsense about "finding your why" and "aligning your chakras."

Unless your chakras are directly connected to your bank account (and I'm pretty sure they're not), you need three moves that create real results in the real world.

✅ Move #1: Launch Something Small (This Week)

Not when it's perfect. Not when Mercury is out of retrograde. This week.

Here's where the perfectionist trap goes wrong: You believe it must be more polished than a luxury car showroom to matter.

Wrong….

Small launches build momentum. Momentum shatters perfectionism faster than a cat knocks things off a table. Results always outweigh theory, and theory has never paid anyone's rent.

"But what if it's not good enough?"

Good enough is truly good enough! Once you've started making some money and received genuine feedback from customers who truly value your services, you can focus on improvement.

Remember, it’s not just about opinions from family (love you, Mom!).

"But what if nobody buys it?"

Then you discover something truly valuable about your market without spending a dime!

Many people invest thousands to gain that kind of insight, but you’ve just accessed it for the price of a few hours and perhaps a little light-hearted embarrassment.

Pick one format. Create it this week. Launch it.

Getting things done is better than being perfect. Making a profit is more valuable than just looking good.

✅ Move #2: Automate One Soul-Sucking Task

Stop doing things manually that machines can do better.

Every hour spent on tasks that can be automated is an hour taken away from more valuable activities.

Imagine driving a Ferrari just to deliver newspapers—while you could do it, it really is a missed opportunity to unleash its true potential!

Your automation hit list:

• Email follow-ups after purchases (because saying "thank you" shouldn't require you to remember things)

• Welcome sequences for new subscribers (first impressions matter, even digital ones)

• Thank-you messages to new clients (gratitude is good business, and automation makes it consistent)

• Moving completed tasks to "done" folders (because digital organization shouldn't be a part-time job)

Pick the one that takes you the most time each week.

Tools like Zapier make this stupid simple: "When this happens, do that." It's like having a really obedient digital assistant who never calls in sick or asks for a raise.

"But what if it breaks?"

Then you fix it. The time you save will more than make up for any troubleshooting. Plus, you'll feel like a tech wizard, which is always fun at parties.

Automate one task this week. Get your life back.

✅ Move #3: Delete or Delegate Your Biggest Energy Vampire

This separates pros from amateurs faster than asking someone to explain TikTok.

That energy drain you mentioned earlier? The one that makes you want to hide under your desk and pretend you're a turtle?

You have two options: Delete it or delegate it.

Deleting it truly means putting an end to that task altogether. Often, that so-called "essential" task is about as essential as a chocolate teapot. Sometimes, it's merely a habit we haven’t thought to question, like checking our phones 847 times a day!

Delegate means finding someone else to do it. Virtual assistants, freelancers, or automated systems can handle most energy-draining tasks.

And no, your dog doesn't count as a virtual assistant, no matter how good they are at fetching.

"But I can't afford to delegate..."

Wrong question. The right question is: "Can I afford NOT to delegate?"

If you're dedicating five hours a week to tasks that pay $10/hour instead of engaging in activities that earn you $100/hour, it’s important to recognize that this isn't a wise financial choice—you're actually losing money faster than coins slipping through a hole in your pocket!

Calculate this: Your hourly rate × hours spent on low-value tasks = what your "savings" actually cost you.

The math might be painful, but it's better than continuing to lose money.

➡️ Recharge Your Thinking…

Here's what the gurus won't tell you (because it doesn't sell $2,000 courses):

Feeling stuck isn't a mindset problem—it's an action problem.

You don't need more motivation (motivation is like deodorant—it wears off, and you need to reapply it daily).

You don't need to "find your passion" (your passion is probably paying your bills and having freedom).

You don't need to align with the universe (the universe is busy running itself and doesn't have time for your business plan).

You need to move and stay moving!

Every successful entrepreneur has felt just like you do right now. The difference isn't that they had better feelings, more confidence, or a clearer vision of their future.

They took more effective actions while feeling just as confused and uncertain as you do. They used being stuck as motivation, rather than an excuse.

Think of it as being stuck in traffic. You can sit there honking your horn and complaining about other drivers (which accomplishes nothing), or you can take the next exit and find an alternate route.

Flip the script!

You're not falling behind. You're precisely where you need to be to create what you're meant to create. Everyone else is merely better at pretending they have it all figured out.

Each day spent in self-pity is a day that your competitors advance. Every day you choose to take action is a day you strengthen your comeback. What kind of day do you want today to be?

Launch Your Amazon Product to $100K+ in Revenue—Fast!

Stack Influence helps you scale your new Amazon product launches into six-figure success stories. Automate thousands of micro-influencer collaborations monthly—no influencer fees, just authentic content paid with your products. Trusted by top brands, Stack Influence boosts external traffic, organic rankings, and delivers engaging UGC, all fully managed so you can focus on growth.

Get 10% OFF this month!

➡️ Your Next Move (No Excuses, Just Action)

Time to separate the talkers from the doers.

You have the system. You know the tools. You understand what has been holding you back (spoiler: it's probably you).

But none of this matters if you don't take action and get moving!

And I mean real action, not "I'm going to think about taking action" or "I'm going to research the best way to take action" or "I'm going to wait until conditions are perfect for taking action."

Right now, pick ONE, JUST ONE move:

• Create and launch something small this week (even if it's uglier than a homemade haircut)

• Automate one time-sucking task (your future self will thank you)

• Delete or delegate your biggest energy vampire (your sanity will thank you)

Choose one and take action today! Let’s not wait until tomorrow—tomorrow can often feel like the place where dreams go to fade.

Today is the day!

The entrepreneurs who will finish 2025 on a high note won't necessarily be those who had flawless beginnings.

Instead, they’ll be the ones who harnessed their mid-year reality check as motivation to propel themselves forward, rather than letting it serve as a reason to quit. 

The rest of 2025 is full of possibilities, just waiting for you!

You can spend it making excuses that sound increasingly creative but accomplish nothing, or you can spend it making progress that actually moves your business forward.

What's it gonna be?

Remember: While everyone plays checkers, you play a masterful game of chess.

And that's what makes the difference.

This Week's Hot Question: "What will you change to play a bigger game that will propel you to the next level? If you have no ideas, ask your reliable AI assistant for help. "

🔥 Want More Magic: Join Our StartSmart Exchange Community Here!

Until then, Think Big, Play Smart, and Build Strong.

To your success,

-Coach Will

Please let me know if you have any comments or require assistance. I read everything; you never know what doors might open from a simple conversation.

DID A FRIEND FORWARD YOU THIS NEWSLETTER?

First, give them a BIG thank you!

Then, subscribe here for your free weekly dose of StartSmart Life Hacks! Until next week, remember: In a world of complicated choices, be the obvious one.