Do the Necessary: A Lesson on Habit, Business, and Life from a Friar

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi

Catholic friar Francis of Assisi captured the cure to one of our biggest modern problems in one sentence. Regardless of your worldview, this bit of wisdom is practical for all of us. Today we have so much opportunity due to technology: we can earn degrees, read books, offer our expertise, and more, all from a computer or phone. However, as we know, it also causes hesitation. Where should I begin? Am I doing the right thing? The best thing? This thought process has driven me to inaction far more times than I can count, unfortunately. But the reality is we will not get to where we want to be if we avoid the work to get there.

…Start by doing what’s necessary

Once we have a goal in mind, whether it is to write a book, build an app, or start a business, we must find the next actions we need to take. Often this is entails learning something new — read documentation for a coding language, brushing up on proper grammar, or understanding state requirements for establishing an LLC. But what I have seen in my own experience is this learning can often become an excuse to not act. Yes, the learning is important to becoming a subject matter expert, but the real learning comes in the doing. Additionally, as you do what is necessary, you are getting the basics of your project done. By doing the work, you are accomplishing both the learning and the doing simultaneously. You may ask, but I know absolutely nothing about this field (as I have). In that case, read and watch the minimum necessary to get to work. Inaction prevents a project from moving forward, not lack of knowledge. Your level of understanding may be limited, and that is fine. You have permission to get to work.

…Then do what’s possible

When we begin our journey into something new, so many aspects of it seem out of reach, even impossible. How can I possibly do this? But once you do the initial work — what is necessary — then you are accomplishing the realm of the possible. For example, if you want to build a successful mobile app, the “necessary” is learning the essentials of coding and then writing simple functions, classes, etc. Once you do that, you can then create a basic application for your own use. You publish it for public use, but it may not get traction. Success isn’t the point at this stage in the journey, though. You just did something, which places you closer to what you dream of doing one day, and this is a far better position than when you were before you began doing the necessary. Now that you see what is possible, the paralyzing inaction has been removed, because you are growing as a doer in this field. You won’t be as afraid to try new things now, as you have the basic knowledge to do something about them. But this does not mean your next attempt will be successful — ‘’successful’’ by however you define it. It may take dozens of attempts. It may never be a “success.” But until you understand what is possible, you won’t ever attain the impossible.

…and suddenly you are doing the impossible

John Steinbeck began his writing career, not by writing Grapes of Wrath, but by learning the alphabet as a young boy. Steve Jobs didn’t wake up one day and build one of the biggest companies in history; he started when he learned computer basics. The necessary gave birth to the possible which eventually fueled the impossible.

Now the question is: what is the “impossible” dream you cannot let go?

Once you know this, then decide: what would a possible accomplishment look like in this area?

And now for the most important piece: what do you need to do about it now?

I realize I am not saying anything new; this process has been around for millennia and summarized by St. Francis eight hundred years ago. But humanity excels at forgetfulness. We forget or ignore the wisdom of the past, and stumble around in the dark until we run into our forefathers again who give us direction. Our current culture prizes individualism and “you being you,” but the irony is we really don’t come up with many new things. We are improving on past successes, at best. But there is nothing wrong with this. Don’t let this stop you from creating, from adding to society. Be grateful for the forerunner, learn from him, and let his example spur you forward to doing the necessary.