So, the questions you have to ask before you set out to achieve the goal is:
- Is the objective worth the effort?
- Are there any gross and obvious factors that are missing for consideration that unreasonably raise risk?
- Does your plan address all known characteristics of your challenge (the mountain in front of you)?
If the answers to those questions suggest you’ve done everything that you can do to prepare, then it’s time to get started. Team members, management, and casual observers will be happy to inundate you with “what-ifs” that lack substance. Just get started.
In addition to executing your plan, your challenge will be to adapt to new information, as it becomes available, by modifying your plan. It’s not failure to have to adjust your plan. In fact, it is a failure to continue to execute a plan that doesn’t address challenges presented by new information. Furthermore, it’s either a miracle - or a very simple project - if a course correction isn’t required to deal with new information.
Those who act, get things done. If you’re paralyzed by fear, the project might be too risky or you might not be experienced enough for the mountain in front of you.