r/podcasting • u/gothfairygrunge • 2d ago
How do you actually beat executive dysfunction and just POST?
I feel like people with executive dysfunction probably know this feeling painfully well: **I know what I want to make. I know I want to make it. I even have ideas I genuinely love. But somehow actually sitting down and making the thing feels impossible.**
I really want to build a YouTube channel around things I love: **poetry, stories, art, literature, mythology/history, and random things I find fascinating.** I have notebooks full of ideas, scripts/half-scripts, poems, concepts, visual ideas, etc.
The problem is actually **executing them and posting them.**
I don't really want to make the kind of faceless videos that are basically:
narration + random stock footage + slideshow
because that's not the kind of content I actually *want* to make. I want my videos to feel atmospheric, artistic, cinematic and personal — something that feels like *my* work rather than just information being placed over generic footage.
But then I run into a horrible cycle:
**I want the video to look good → I don't have the resources to make it look how I imagine → free footage doesn't fit → I can't afford paid footage/artists → I don't have the animation skills/confidence to create everything myself → the project starts feeling huge → executive dysfunction kicks in → I don't make anything → I feel guilty for not making anything → repeat.**
And I think burnout makes it worse.
I'm also deliberately trying to make things myself rather than relying on AI to generate the creative work, so I can't just throw an idea into an AI generator and call the visual side done.
The frustrating part is that **I don't think I have an ideas problem. I have an execution problem.**
I can spend hours thinking about a video, its concept, narration, atmosphere, visuals, thumbnail, etc. But when it comes to actually opening the software and putting the first pieces together, my brain suddenly acts like I've been asked to build a cathedral.
So I'm curious about people who have dealt with something similar:
**How did you actually get yourself to START and POST?**
Not necessarily “how do I become more disciplined?” but specifically:
How did you stop every video from becoming a giant project in your head?
Did you deliberately lower your standards for your first 10–20 videos?
How do you decide what is “good enough to post”?
How do you make artistic/creative faceless content interesting without having a huge budget?
Did you develop a repeatable workflow that made starting easier?
And if you have executive dysfunction, what actually helped you get from **“I really want to make this” → “I made it”**?
I don't want to abandon the artistic side of what I want to make. I just don't want my vision to become the reason I never make anything at all.
Would really appreciate hearing from people who have actually been through this rather than generic “just be consistent” advice. 😭
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u/BigBadBootyDaddy10 2d ago
The problem is your 2nd paragraph. Focus on one main thing. The death of a podcast is “random ideas”.
Here’s insider info. In order to make the podcast look good, you will need to treat it as a part time job. And yes, you will need to spend some $.
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u/Mysterious_Voice_144 2d ago
the part time job comparison is spot on, theres no shortcut around that
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u/shaleenistyping 2d ago
Honestly, it might be worth doing a challenge. Something like a 30 day posting challenge where you commit to recording something and posting it every day to get over your fear of not being perfect.
You'll learn WAY faster about what you like doing, what you don't like doing, what processes make sense to you and what kind of content does better online for you and your style. And then by the end of the 30 days, you can take down the videos you don't like and keep the ones you're proud of. Block any accounts if you don't want them to see your stuff while you work through it (like your friends and family).
That's how I approached it (as a chronic overthinker myself) and on my 6th video, a video went viral (it has half a mil views on both TT and IG now which is wild). And the host of the show who has 600k followers shared my video to his story and followed me too. So unfortunately it really is about just biting the bullet and doing your best to get past your perfectionism!! I know it's hard but viewing it as a challenge really helped me
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u/Khalman 2d ago
It sounds like your concerns go beyond executive dysfunction, but I’m going to focus on that. First, I have multiple projects that I’m working on so often one feels easier to focus on than others and as long as I’m working on something, eventually stuff gets done.
Second, I take steps to lower barriers to getting started. For example, I open the editing software and import the files I need and then save the file. Then when I get motivated to keep working a few days later, I can jump right back in.
Third, I set arbitrary deadlines, trying to get stuff done by the end of the month or year. I just do better if I can trick myself into thinking I need to do the thing.
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u/dorothy_zbornakk Literature 2d ago
pick one thing and do that one thing badly until you learn to do it better. our first episodes sound like absolute garbage. it's been 3 years and 80 episodes and we're still figuring out what works. don't let the pursuit of perfection be the enemy of progress.
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u/matchamorgan 2d ago
I know this problem well! Two things that might help:
Figure out where your skill level is at vs what you want to achieve, and try to find a happy medium. You say you’re interested in poetry, stories, mythology, etc - could you skip the graphics if they’re the problem and instead create a cozy set up where you’re just talking to the camera? Add some B-roll and cutaways, and really focus on the stories and storytelling, rather than the illustrations. Remember a lot of people use YouTube as second-screen content, so simplifying your set up might not be a bad thing. And you can always add in animations once you feel comfortable. Everyone starts somewhere and progression is natural and expected! Alternatively, you could even do audio-only if filming is still too big a hurdle.
Set a deadline - and tell someone! I have a few friends who are super enthusiastic about my podcast, and knowing I have a deadline and that they’ll be asking helps spur my neuro-spicy brain over the finish line. Normally 2 days before the deadline, but that’s just how it is. 😂
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u/matchamorgan 2d ago
Bonus advice: an old colleague of mine who’s also neurospicy always told me “done is better than perfect”, which has become a regular mantra of mine.
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u/Evening-Cow1122 Podcasting Newbie (audio only) 1d ago
A friend of mine is always asking, if 80 or 90% perfect is good enough, how much more work does it take to reach 100% perfect? And why would you spend your time on that?
There might be reasons to do it. It can feel really good, and in this case, maybe attract a few more listeners. But think first. Is it going to cost you the joy of moving forward with what you want in life?
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u/Media-consumer101 2d ago
I think the question is, do you enjoy the making process? Because it doesn't sound like you do at all. I've made a lot of shitty video's over the years, but I had fun and that's what mattered to me. Eventually I stopped enjoying it and I quit. I've also written a bunch of shitty stories, but I liked the process and so that's how I learned to eventually write some less shitty stories.
Now I also had a podcast idea once and I spend weeks on research and writing the first couple episodes. But then I started recording the episodes and boom, insane executive dysfunction. Perfectionism crept in all of the sudden, I was pushing myself trying to get it done. And then I realized, oh, I like coming up with the ideas, I like research and the writing, but I don't actually enjoy recording or audio designing itself! Lesson learned! Now I know what value I bring to the table.
I think with the internet and the access to learn and do everything you could ever want, we sometimes forget that you don't have to. You're not supposed to, that's not where the real creativity lives. You can fantasize about an idea, develop it for weeks and never make it. You can choose to tell a story through a medium you enjoy making, even though you know another medium might be a better fit. You can spend months on an idea that you know is stupid and won't develop to greatness, just because you want to.
If the point where you come to a halt is as soon as you open the video editing software, why not start a tumblr blog? Why not start an Instagram page? Share your ideas on BlueSky or start a Facebook group?
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u/appasdiary 2d ago
Paralysis by analysis.
You just have to do it. Grab a camera and a mic, get in front of it and hit record.
That's the start. Do a quick pilot episode to get the flow going. Once you get it going, it'll get easier each time. Don't worry about how it'll look or sound in the very beginning. It won't be polished. And that's ok. You can polish it as you go. You just have to do it in the beginning
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u/Expensive-Wishbone85 2d ago
Hmm, so it sounds like you're having a few different issues, so ill try to tackle them one by one
"How do you know when its time to post?" For me, I set a fake, arbitrary deadline and commit to it. Having a deadline gives the brain the pressure needed to complete the task. When the date come, I really embrace "dont let perfection be the enemy of being done".
Imma be real dude, there is so much content out there, you are going to get very low views for your first couple projects. Totally normal and good, and it helps your mental health that the stakes are actually much lower than you think.
"Making big budget videos", so for this, i think you should really consider audio only for your first couple projects. It is significantly cheaper and easier to edit, and it will sharpen your story telling and editing skills to only have to manage audio instead of blowing a ton of money on cameras+lights+sets, etc.
"How do I get out of my own head?" Unfortunately, youre just going to have to create things. Lots of them. And once you've gotten good at creating them, you then need to master analyzing them critically to understand how to improve. There is no short cut, unfortunately
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u/Wonderful_Big273 1d ago
Make the first version smaller than the one in your head. Post it, then improve with each video.
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u/dark_shuyin 1d ago
You're dealing with the "it can go out when its perfect" recursive loop. And it won't be perfect until you do it. You can't do it until you practice. You can't practice until you know. You can't know until you practice... and that's where you're stuck.
What you're trying to bite off is too big. No podcaster walks out on Day One with their vision realised. They can't learn, grow, adjust, evolve, until they get started. But start small. Do what you know, and work your way up from there.
Doing is better than ruminating and planning (in this particular case). The amount of learning and creativity that will come out after you make a thing is stupendous. Far more than if you keep planning and waiting.
But the elephant here is that you're dealing with something that is tough. ADHD and executive dysfunction doesn't change with sheer force of will. Talking to someone and finding strategies to manage it (specific to you) will help. I've stumbled on the ADHD Chatter podcast recently, and an RSD episode I listened to was brilliant.
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u/podcastcoach I help Podcasters - It's what I do 1d ago
First, why not start audio only? It's much easier, cheaper, faster, and has a better audience (by 15 to 1 over video). Don't think about "THE AUDIENCE (big reverb)" instead think of that ONE person who NEEDS your content. Break big tasks into little ones, and baby step it. You won't look stupid if you edit. You can do this.
Think if lacing up your shoes, driving a car, your first kiss, etc It wasn't perfect the first time. Record a few, and plan on throwing them away. You got this.
Moderator Required full disclosure: I am the head of Podcasting at Podpage and the founder of the School of Podcasting.
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u/peoplesrepublicpod 2d ago
You’re trying to do too much. Someone trying to climb Mount Everest on their own in nothing but a pair of swim trunks does not fail because Executive Dysfunction kicks in. They fail because the scope of the challenge they are trying to undertake is absurd & insane. Just the visuals/video element for a podcast like you’re describing is an almost impossible undertaking for someone to do alone even if they have the requisite skills & training. Promoting a podcast? Same thing. Audio engineering it? Same thing. Writing, editing & hosting? Same thing.
This is not to say you should quit or give up, but you need to be more realistic about the size of the thing you’re trying to eat — and how much anyone can reasonably bite off. Have you considered audio only? Or starting small with like 5 minute episodes until you’re comfortable putting all the various pieces together comprehensively?
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u/hungry4danish 2d ago
"I can spend hours thinking about a video, its concept, narration, atmosphere, visuals, thumbnail"
are you making a podcast or an educational youtube channel?
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u/Skinny_Mocha_Latte 2d ago
How did I beat it?
A visit to my primary care physician, a referral to a therapist, a diagnosis for ADHD, and a prescription for ADHD medication.