As an entrepreneur, engineer, and leader, I have learned that the secret to success lies in one simple principle: making things happen. This mindset has guided me through founding McIntosh Engineering, co-founding with my son Kyle MAC6 and Conscious Capitalism Arizona, and now, with Stephanie Clerge co-foundering Heroic Arizona. Inspired by Steve Chandler’s 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself—specifically a recent Plus 1 shared this week, this philosophy of action, courage, and doing drives my personal and professional growth.

Chandler’s book resonates deeply with this approach. He writes, “Replace worry with action. Don’t worry. Or rather, don’t just worry. Let worry change into action. When you find yourself worrying about something, ask yourself the action question, “What can I do about this right now?” This idea was a cornerstone of my leadership at McIntosh Engineering. We faced complex engineering, customer and people challenges that could paralyze a team with indecision. I’d tell my colleagues, “When I’m gone, err on the side of making things happen.” Stalling out of fear of making the wrong move kills momentum. Even if a decision isn’t perfect, it’s a step forward—a learning opportunity to sharpen our aim.

We call this our “ready, fire, aim” mentality. In life and business, we rarely have all the information for a flawless decision. Instead, we aim roughly, take the shot, and adjust based on what we learn. When Kyle and I co-founded MAC6, a co-working and co-manufacturing space, we didn’t have every detail figured out. We had a vision, acted, and refined our model as we went. Similarly, with Conscious Capitalism Arizona, we launched with a commitment to purpose-driven business, acting and iterating to build a thriving community. At Heroic Arizona, we continue this approach, hosting weekly Roundtables every Thursday from 11 AM to noon at MAC6, where we share Heroic Philosophers Notes and Plus 1s—like the one on Chandler’s book that inspired this blog.

Chandler’s concept of “Creation vs. Reaction” also hits home. He notes, “You can create your own plans in advance so that your life will respond to you.” As an engineer, I’m a planner by nature. I believe in preparation, but I’ve learned that planning must be an active, ongoing process, not a barrier to action. I often say, “All good things take time,” but that doesn’t mean waiting for the perfect plan. It’s about balancing thoughtful preparation with decisive action. I encourage our teams to plan but always lean toward doing. A plan without action is just a daydream.

This balance has been key to my success. At McIntosh Engineering, we faced moments of doubt—fear of making the wrong move could have stopped us. But we leaned on Chandler’s wisdom: “Fear of doing it can only be cured by doing it.” By taking action, even when uncertain, we built confidence and momentum. Each decision, right or wrong, was a chance to learn and grow. This mindset turned challenges into opportunities and brought MAC6, Conscious Capitalism Arizona, and Heroic Arizona to life.

I invite you to embrace the “make things happen” mentality. Don’t let fear of failure or the pursuit of perfection hold you back. As Chandler reminds us, “The greater part of courage is having done it before.” Take that first step, even if it’s imperfect. Join us at our Heroic Arizona Roundtables every Thursday at MAC6 to experience this philosophy in action. Share insights from Philosophers Notes, discuss Plus 1s, and connect with a community committed to growth.

In life and leadership, the path to success is paved with action. Ready, fire, aim. Make things happen, learn, and keep moving forward. That’s how we grow, lead, and create a life of impact.

Scott McIntosh is the founder of McIntosh Engineering, co-founder of MAC6 and Conscious Capitalism Arizona with his son Kyle McIntosh, and co-founder of Heroic Arizona with another partner. Join their weekly Heroic Arizona Roundtables every Thursday from 11 AM to noon at MAC6 to share Philosophers Notes and Plus 1s. Learn more at heroicaz.us.