Do the thing.

The power of action

There is a wonderful mini essay by Strangest Loop that goes like this;

Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing.

“Preparing to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn't doing the thing.

Fantasising about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.”

— Strangest Loop Go do the thing (Source)

I fell into this trap for the longest time, and still fall into it often. I would do everything under the sun that could be associated with the thing, besides doing the dang thing. It is an uncomfortable truth to accept, but getting past it is the key to the floodgate.

It is time to ditch the excuses. You may not have the time, resources, or capital that others trying to accomplish the same thing as you have, but you always have control over your effort. Doing the thing to the best ability with what you have is far superior than not doing the thing and waiting.

If I could add one additional line to this essay it would be…

“Watching videos about the thing isn’t doing the thing.”

This one can be one of the hardest. Your entire feed can be about people who are doing the thing you want to be doing. I have found that this can create temporary bursts of motivation to do the thing, but also has the potential to create a false sensation of doing the thing.

Do the thing. This is my new mantra.

It is only fitting that this weeks fact is about doing the thing. So here it is:

• The more you talk about your goals, the less likely you are to achieve them.

Depressing, I know. So why is this?

Dopamine.

That bugger always getting in the way. Dopamine is more about anticipation of the reward than the actual reward. When we talk about our goals, we get that glorious hit of dopamine and trick our brain into thinking we have already accomplished it.

The solution? I have learned to try and talk about doing the thing AFTER doing the thing when possible. I also do not think this is an issue if you already know you have the discipline to do the thing even if you talk about it.

Here is your weekly challenge:

• I got this one from a friend Kalib Koons on threads, check him out.

  • Think of a small business you have been to in the last 12 months, go to their google business page, and leave a 5 star review.

What a simple way to make someone’s day. Bonus points if you are the first review.

This week on the Mind Under Tension podcast;

• Monday: You guessed it, some motivation to start off your week with a bang.

• Friday: A quick look at the new Gymshark66 habit creator… is it effective? (Not a sponsored episode)

But wait… There’s more!

This Wednesday I will be releasing my first full length episode with Social worker Tracy Mongan. Expect to hear her story on finding her calling to social work and how you can discover your own calling. My first interview ever, loved it.

Have a fantastic week! But if you don't… you obviously forgot to listen to Mind Under Tension.