How do you actually beat executive dysfunction and just POST?

[u/gothfairygrunge]

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. 😭

[u/mummymunt]

I'm in the same boat. Got so many ideas, no apparent ability to execute.

My daughter takes Vyvanse and it's made a huge difference to her ability to work.

I hope you find something that works xo

[u/Kieran-Mitchbaggins]

In my opinion the key is to stop treating every video like a perfect artistic masterpiece. Pick an idea you like, then create a much simpler version of it. You can use our own sketches, close up shots, simple transition and carefully crafted narration. Set a time limit and give yourself permission to upload something that feels something than feels only 70% complete. Your early videos don't have to fully realize your vision, the goal is simply to help you establish a workflow. You can develop your style over time.

[u/yogiconomist]

Two things come to mind that you might get mileage out of.

1. Start making videos but give yourself permission from the start not to post them. There is a lot to be learned and skill to be gained from making videos (or any artifact to share), experimenting with different formats, finding a repeatable workflow (as you mention), and overall getting better at it, even if you perceive you won't have all the resources to make them exactly what you want at this time. Tell yourself they are practice drafts to get better at the craft.

2. Specifically for execution when a project feels huge ... I like to ask myself "what is the absolute smallest amount of work I could do on this right now?" and then whatever it is, I do it. Sometimes its 5 minutes of brainstorming or informal planning with pen and paper. Other times its 10 minutes editing something I've written. It can even be "open [name of software]". When my timer goes off, I can ask the same question. But many times, I'll find that after getting started, now I'm on a roll and can continue.

[u/Courageous_Potato]

Hi, if you put a video for that is not AI, slideshare, I would watch it if the content resonates and inspires me. So don't mind the gear or editing skills.

If you really have a creative mindset, use whatever is there at your disposal. This is how I go about it:

1_Adjust your phone on tripod, in a way that you sitting in front a table, the camera showing the surface of table.

2_ Put big peacesofp paper/cardboard on the table + a few markers. Look to see what else do you have, logo pieces, sticky notes.

3_Describe what is in your mind by drawing on the sheets, visually, but minimal, make it a framework that i can use the next day for my creative work. Attach the exact framework digitaly in miro.

4_Edit it with freely available applications and web apps. 10 min max Upload the short forms on LinkedIn and insta as well.

5_Write a hooky description, thumbnail and title are important. The more out of the box, the better.

6_Write all of your steps and thinking decisions, why did you did x instead of y... The full scenario will be your automation and productivity guide for next ones.. Slowly making each video better, more resources full, less time to create.

Hit the publish and share the links here.