How many times have you neglected a way out because it seemed too easy? As the saying goes, if it’s stupid but it works, it’s not stupid. Well, the Do Something Principle is so simple that it almost balances on the verge of silliness, to the point that we tend to overlook its incredible effectiveness.
Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, is the recent advocate for this principle that he defined in the aforementioned book. He writes that most of us take action when we feel motivated, when the reverse works much better because motivation is a three-part chain on a loop:
Inspiration → Motivation → Action → Inspiration → Motivation → Action → etc.
When you face a major life change, struggle to form a new habit, or start a new project, baby steps are the most efficient method in the long run. Therefore, the essence of this principle lies in doing something, taking the smallest menial step, and then harnessing the power of the generated momentum in order to motivate yourself to keep moving forward. To illustrate:
- To encourage yourself to train for a 5K, start running for five minutes a day.
- When you need to redesign your entire website, tackle the header first.
- If you want to write a book, type in 100 words into a document.
- Want to get physically stronger? Begin with 3 pushups a day.
- To switch to a healthier diet, add one vegetable to your dinner.
- To conquer social anxiety, try smiling at one stranger on the street.
- When you prepare for a job interview, focus on ironing your shirt.
Do something.
Action creates motivation. Start simple and focus on the process rather than the goal. The smallest viable step towards results is very often enough to get the snowball rolling because it gives you a sense of accomplishment that fuels motivation. With the destination in sight, it’s still all about the journey.
The secret to success lies in falling in love with the process…
Thank you Kinga Lewandowska.
Living Life by Design 
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