Gary Vaynerchuk on Doing the Work: ‘You Gotta Go Out and DO the Thing!’

In a recent LinkedIn post, Gary Vaynerchuk addresses a common pitfall he observes among aspiring entrepreneurs and creators: a disconnect between talk and action. Vaynerchuk highlights the tendency for individuals to acquire the tools and adopt the language of success without engaging in the fundamental work required to achieve it. He contends that many people are preoccupied with the superficial aspects of business and entrepreneurship, rather than the core activities that drive results.

The Gap Between Posturing and Practice

Vaynerchuk points out the prevalence of individuals who invest in the necessary equipment or adopt titles like “entrepreneur” but fail to follow through with consistent effort. He suggests that this superficial engagement is a widespread issue, affecting even those who claim to be dedicated.

“SO many people do a lot of things EXCEPT the real thing.”

According to Vaynerchuk, this involves more than just a lack of effort; it’s about a fundamental misunderstanding or avoidance of what it truly means to commit to a goal. He elaborates on this theme, stating:

“They buy all the equipment but don’t make the videos. They posture that they’re about it, but they’re not about it. They write ‘entrepreneur’ in their title, but they’re not about it. They talk about going hard, but you know that God knows that they don’t.”

Embracing Discipline and Action

Despite the frustration this gap between intent and execution might cause, Vaynerchuk offers a message of self-compassion. He acknowledges that discipline is inherently difficult and that it’s common for individuals to be disciplined in some areas of their lives while struggling in others. He includes himself in this observation, recognizing the universal challenge of maintaining consistent focus and effort.

However, Vaynerchuk stresses that this acknowledgment should not lead to resignation. Instead, he urges his audience to confront this challenge directly. The core of his message is a call to action, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming inertia and actively pursuing one’s objectives.

The Imperative of Doing

The entrepreneur and investor concludes his post with a powerful, direct exhortation. He believes that the most crucial step is to move beyond contemplation and into the realm of tangible execution. As Gary Vaynerchuk puts it:

“Step one, all, here’s the key: Don’t be sad. Don’t be mad about it. Don’t beat yourself up. Being disciplined is hard work, and many of us can also be disciplined in one part of life but not another…this goes for all of us, myself included.

But you gotta fight. You gotta go out and DO the thing!”

Vaynerchuk’s insights serve as a stark reminder for professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs alike that true progress stems not from the accumulation of resources or titles, but from the relentless pursuit of action and the commitment to doing the work, however challenging it may be.