Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking & Make it Happen

Why I chose the book, what drew me to it: STOP Overthinking and Start Doing

It was only a few weeks ago when it struck me, I’ve had an entire year to think, plan and work on pivoting to a place where I can realize my entrepreneurial dreams. A mentor said to me: “you’ve had a lot of time to think.” Stop thinking and make it happen.” “You can do it.” When the opportunity arose to write a book review, I had options. Of the two presented, Dream First Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking & Making it Happen grounded me in the present. It was a sign that said I’m doing everything right. Other people in the world have been where I am right now, and they have gone on to do extraordinary things.
What if you take this opportunity to learn about Ellen’s story and figure out how it can inspire you?
“If it’s both terrifying and amazing, then you should definitely pursue it.” Erada Selvetlana @erada

Summary of the book

Are you a Risk-Taker? 

Ellen asked for a seat at the table. From Sandberg, S. (2014). Lean In Women, Work and the Will to Lead. Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. A force of nature who knew what she wanted and was willing to try to make her dreams a reality. A reminder that a college education is not everything to everyone. Passion, commitment, vision, and belief in yourself can take you further than you ever dreamed. If you wait for the right time, the right feeling, you may never do it. The overarching theme inspires all who have big dreams, visions, and goals, with a strong sentiment of working hard to make the smallest achievements a reality because they can turn into something much bigger if you take the risk.

What worked

Authenticity works.

Ellen recants conventionalism in an honest retrospective story of her experience becoming an entrepreneur, and creating a multi-million-dollar company in an over-saturated niche market.

Her generosity in sharing her perspective and insight is evident in pauses where she changes from the first person to the third person.

What could have been better?

Strategic organization!! 

Throughout the book, Ellen inserted her colorful personality with pictures, diagrams, stories, entrepreneurial business tips. (The meat and potatoes of her business expertise.) The two sections I found edifying are:

• Focus on What you have, Not What you Don’t Have (Page 120)
• How to create awesome Collabs (Page 158)

Each section inserted at apropos points in the main story jumped into a related topic but entirely separate stories and timeframes. I breezed through the first three chapters. I skipped over the sections and came back to them. 

Editorially, create an addendum of her tips and stories, then inserting footnotes to reference relevant content would have added clarity for the reader. 

Mention the reference up top in her prologue. 

Would you recommend it to others?

YES! I sent pictures of pages of the book to friends that referenced things we’d talked about or inspired us at one point or another. 

Who?

Anyone motivated and inspired by people, former fine-dining employees (trust me), if you like fine dining, career pivots, people with an entrepreneurial mindset, creatives, current entrepreneurs 

Why?

As I wrote this review, my judgment and opinions melted away, and a fiery motivation grew within me. Flipping through the pages looking at notes I wrote, I found new inspiration every time. The book helped me subconsciously work through the process of learning. Actively, stop resisting the opportunities right in front of me.