As entrepreneurs, we often fall into the trap of urgency. I’m currently experiencing it myself—a feeling that I need to make things bigger, more complicated, and move faster than necessary. Even though the business opportunity at hand is simple, my mind keeps telling me that I need endorsements, credentials, and a massive push to make it all work. It’s like a persistent voice in my head saying, “Do everything, support everyone, and do it now!”

I’m sure many founders can relate. This thought process can easily spiral into stress and overwhelm. So, what is this behavior called, and how do we escape the urgency trap to focus on what truly matters?

The Trap of Urgency

This urge to do everything and support every stakeholder as if they’re just waiting for our help is driven by a mindset of urgency and fear. It’s as if we believe that the only way to succeed is by going fast, making it big, and doing it all at once. But this often leads to:

1. Overcomplication – Turning a simple business plan into a complex operation before it’s necessary.
2. Burnout – Trying to do everything at once leaves little time for proper planning and self-care.
3. Inefficiency – Spreading yourself too thin, trying to cover every base and please every stakeholder.
4. Loss of Focus – Jumping from one task to another without clear priorities, diluting your impact.

This behavior stems from a fear of missing out—FOMO—and the pressure to prove ourselves quickly. We think that success must come immediately, that every opportunity needs to be maximized, and that any delay could mean failure.

Recognizing the Mindset

This urge for speed and magnitude is often called the Scarcity Mindset—believing that opportunities are limited, and if we don’t act now, we’ll miss them. It makes us feel like we must control everything, which leads to the trap of overextending ourselves.

Many founders fall into this trap, believing they need to create instant success. The truth is, most successful businesses grow step by step, through thoughtful, gradual progress. Building a business is more like a marathon than a sprint.

A Structured Approach to Overcoming the Urgency Trap

The key to overcoming this mindset lies in shifting from urgency to strategic, gradual growth. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Focus on One Thing at a Time

It’s tempting to chase every opportunity, but success comes from focusing on the few things that matter most. Identify the core activities that will move your business forward today—not a year from now.

Ask yourself:

• What is the simplest, most direct path to progress right now?
• What tasks can wait until later?

Start small, and build momentum with each step.

2. Prioritize Stakeholders by Immediate Need

Not every stakeholder needs your immediate attention. Prioritize the ones who are crucial to your current phase of business, and allow others to come into focus as your business grows. This reduces the feeling that you need to “support everyone” all at once.

3. Set Clear, Gradual Milestones

Break down your larger vision into smaller, manageable milestones. Instead of thinking about endorsements and large-scale credentials right away, focus on gaining your first customers, building initial traction, and improving your offering.

Milestones help create a sense of progress without overwhelming you with the bigger picture. Celebrate each small win along the way.

4. Delegate and Build Systems

Founders often feel like they need to do everything themselves, but this quickly leads to burnout. Start delegating tasks that others can do, even if your team is small. Set up simple systems that help you manage your workflow and scale gradually.

By removing yourself from every aspect of the business, you create space to focus on high-impact tasks that require your unique attention.

5. Practice Patience

Patience is a critical but often overlooked part of entrepreneurship. Understand that building something worthwhile takes time. The greatest businesses didn’t become massive overnight.

Commit to the long-term journey, and remind yourself that it’s okay to grow step by step. Don’t let the pressure of rapid success cloud your judgment.

Conclusion: Slow Down to Speed Up

The urgency trap is a common pitfall for entrepreneurs, but it’s one that can be overcome by recognizing the mindset and shifting to a more thoughtful, structured approach. You don’t need to go big, fast, or do everything at once. Instead, start small, focus on what matters today, and allow your business to grow naturally over time.

If you find yourself in this trap, take a moment to reflect on where you’re overcomplicating things. What can you simplify? Where can you take smaller, more intentional steps? Remember, slow progress is still progress.

Call to Action:

Have you fallen into the urgency trap? How do you manage the pressure to “go big” and do it all? Share your experiences at venkat@venkatgudipati.com