I’m gonna be honest: launching a podcast felt like climbing Everest without oxygen. I worried I’d flake, fumble my words, or never reach anyone. But here I am, 28 episodes into Bad Day Excellence, and each one taught me more than I ever expected. I’ve lost a ton of weight, ran a marathon, wrote a book, and still juggle a full-time IT director gig and two energetic boys. How? The secret is systems, imperfect progress, and leaning into the mess.
First rule? Just do it. Or as I like to say, Just One More. Nike’s slogan nails that little hesitation we all get before doing something bold, but “Just One More” turns the whole thing into something manageable. Instead of trying to be perfect, I gave myself permission to start small. That first episode was a whisper, not a bang, but it created momentum. Confidence didn’t show up before I hit record. It showed up after doing it a bunch of times, even when I wasn’t sure I nailed it.
What kept the momentum going? Systems. I carve out planning time, even on vacations. I outline, script, schedule, and batch record like a maniac. And yes, I use AI. It’s not cheating. It’s like having a really smart, occasionally confusing assistant. I still do the thinking. AI just helps me move faster when the ADHD squirrel brain tries to derail everything.
I also had to get okay with screwing up. I tried filming with Riverside and my phone. Tech issues? Yep. Re-recording three times? Been there. That first YouTube upload was about 60 percent of the quality I wanted, but I shipped it anyway. Someone left a comment saying it felt real, and that meant more than a perfect setup ever could. I even got a new subscriber from it.
That’s the thing. Mistakes aren’t stop signs. They’re detours. If I mess something up, I learn from it and try again. That mentality let me keep showing up when perfection would’ve talked me out of it. It’s not about reaching a million people. It’s about learning to love the process of speaking, editing, sharing, and growing in public. And I really do love it. I smile like a goof while editing videos. My wife can always tell when I’m in my happy zone.
So here’s the challenge. Just start. One tiny thing. Write the post, film the thing, share the idea. Don’t wait for the setup to be perfect. It never will be. But if you move, even a little, you’ll learn. And that learning compounds like crazy.
This week I challenged my accountability partner Jenn to post one video by Friday. I’m giving you the same challenge. Do it your way. It doesn’t have to be public or polished. Just do the thing. Because one day turns into two, and before you know it, you’re building something you’re proud of.
If this resonates, hit subscribe or drop a review. A five-star rating is like a digital high-five, and we all need more of those. Sharing this episode might be the tiny action that helps someone else break their perfection loop and get moving.
I’m Brian Walsh, and I believe habits don’t just build results. They build identity. Thanks for riding along on this journey. I’ll see you next time on Bad Day Excellence.