Are You a Do-er or a Gonna? The Real Difference Between Dreamers and Achievers

1. Introduction: The World Is Full of Gonnas

If you search “Brett McCallum,” you’ll find a bloke who’s started more businesses than most people have had hot dinners. But here’s the truth: for every business I’ve launched, there were ten more ideas I talked about, dreamed about, and—if I’m honest—never acted on.

We all know a Gonna. Maybe you are one. The mate who’s always “gonna” start a business, “gonna” write a book, “gonna” get fit, “gonna” call their mum. The world is full of Gonnas. But the world is changed by Do-ers.

This blog is about the difference between the two—and how you can make the leap from talking to doing, from dreaming to achieving.

2. The Do-er vs Gonna Mindset: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

• Gonnas are always talking about what they’re going to do. Their ideas are big, their intentions are good, but their actions are… well, usually missing.

• Do-ers get stuff done. They might not talk as much, but they’re always moving, always building, always learning.

The difference isn’t intelligence, talent, or luck. It’s action. It’s the willingness to have a crack, to risk failing, to get your hands dirty.

The Gonna Trap

I’ve been a Gonna. I’ve had ideas that could have changed my life, but I let them sit on the shelf. Why? Fear. Doubt. Laziness. Sometimes, just plain old comfort.

But every big win in my life came from being a Do-er. From taking the first step, even when I wasn’t ready.

3. My Journey from Gonna to Do-er (and Back Again)

Let’s get real. I haven’t always been a Do-er. In fact, I spent a good chunk of my early life as a world-class Gonna.

The High School Dreamer

In high school, I was the king of “gonna.” I was gonna be a footy star, gonna ace my exams, gonna be the next big thing. But I cruised through, did the bare minimum, and when the results came in, I failed. I learned the hard way that dreams without action are just daydreams.

The Uni Dropout

I was gonna go to uni, get a degree, make my parents proud. I lasted one day. I realised I was there for the wrong reasons—because it was expected, not because I wanted it. So I left. That was my first real Do-er moment: choosing my own path, even when it wasn’t popular.

The Serial Entrepreneur

I’ve started more businesses than I can count. Some were winners, some were disasters. But every single one started with action—a phone call, a meeting, a late-night brainstorm that turned into a business plan. I wasn’t always sure what I was doing, but I was doing something.

The Times I Slipped Back

Even now, I catch myself slipping into Gonna mode. I’ll have an idea, get excited, talk about it… and then do nothing. The difference is, I recognise it now. I call myself out, and I get moving.

4. Why Most People Stay Gonnas (and How to Break Free)

Let’s be honest: it’s easier to be a Gonna. There’s no risk, no failure, no embarrassment. But there’s also no progress, no growth, no legacy.

The Comfort of Inaction

Doing nothing feels safe. You can’t fail if you don’t try. But you also can’t win.

The Fear of Looking Silly

We worry what people will think if we fail. But here’s the truth: most people are too busy worrying about themselves to care about your failures.

The Myth of the Perfect Time

There’s never a perfect time to start. Waiting for the stars to align is just another form of procrastination.

How to Break Free

• Acknowledge the fear. It’s normal.

• Start small. You don’t have to change the world in a day.

• Celebrate action, not just results. Every step counts.

5. The Psychology of Action: Why We Procrastinate

Procrastination isn’t laziness—it’s fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the unknown.

The Brain’s Safety Switch

Your brain is wired to keep you safe. New things feel risky, so your brain tells you to wait, to plan, to think it through. But sometimes, you have to override that switch and just go for it.

The Power of Momentum

Action creates momentum. The first step is the hardest, but once you’re moving, it gets easier.

6. How to Become a Do-er: Practical Steps

Here’s how I turned myself from a Gonna into a Do-er—and how you can, too.

1. Write It Down

Ideas in your head are easy to ignore. Write them down. Make them real.

2. Break It Down

Big goals are overwhelming. Break them into small, manageable steps.

3. Set a Deadline

A goal without a deadline is just a wish. Give yourself a timeframe.

4. Tell Someone

Accountability is powerful. Tell a mate, a mentor, your partner. Make it public.

5. Take the First Step—Today

Don’t wait for tomorrow. Do something—anything—today.

6. Track Your Progress

Celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and keep moving.

7. Overcoming Fear, Doubt, and Perfectionism

Fear is normal. Doubt is normal. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress.

My Battle with Perfectionism

I used to think everything had to be perfect before I launched. The perfect business plan, the perfect website, the perfect pitch. But perfection is a moving target. If you wait for perfect, you’ll never start.

How I Beat It

I learned to launch before I was ready. To get feedback, to iterate, to improve as I went. Some of my best businesses started as rough ideas that I polished over time.

8. Daily Habits of High-Action People

Here’s what I’ve learned from the most successful Do-ers I know (and what I try to do myself):

• Start the day with action. Do the hardest thing first.

• Limit distractions. Turn off notifications, set boundaries.

• Review your goals daily. Keep them front and centre.

• Reflect every night. What did you do today? What will you do tomorrow?

• Surround yourself with Do-ers. Energy is contagious.

9. Self-Assessment: Are You a Do-er or a Gonna?

Ask yourself:

• Do I talk more than I act?

• Do I have ideas that never leave my notebook?

• Do I wait for the “right time” to start?

• Do I let fear or doubt stop me?

• Do I celebrate action, or just results?

If you answered yes to any of these, you’re not alone. The good news? You can change. You can become a Do-er—starting now.

10. Conclusion: Your Legacy Is Built on Action

At the end of the day, your legacy isn’t built on what you dreamed about. It’s built on what you did.

I’m Brett McCallum. I’ve been a Gonna, and I’ve been a Do-er. I know which one changes the world.

So, what are you gonna do? Or better yet—what are you going to do?