Three simple ways to stop thinking & start doing

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Have you ever noticed that you can read the same information over and over, and it never sinks in? There are entire industries of self-help, or marketing tips, or cooking tips that never get used. All because of this phenomenon.

Have you ever noticed that once you execute one time, suddenly it’s easy to do it again? Suddenly those inspirational blog posts, or shady marketing tactics don’t have the appeal they once had.

That’s because execution makes knowledge real. Once you stop fantasizing and start doing, a switch flips.

We’re wired to want to continue seeking information, even when we have all we need. It’s called the information bias.

It’s also a form of Resistance. We don’t have to admit to ourselves that we’re scared to get started, that we’re paralyzing ourselves with perfectionism, or that we’re simply afraid to suck.

No, instead, we’re convinced that we just need more information.

Some people are natural executors. James Altucher has built companies, produced a television show, and written well over a dozen books.

When I asked James, on my podcast, how he became so prolific, he said “I always thought I could do anything.”

I was disappointed. If James was always an executor, what hope was there for people like me, who struggle to make our work real (aka normal people).

Always [make] sure you’re doing little experiments every day to move yourself forward on the things you’re interested in. –James Altucher

In other words: in order to do, do.

It sounds like a catch-22, but once you have the mission of being a doer, there are simple adjustments that can make action easier:

• Build a habit: When you start with a creative habit, you eliminate excuses that prevent you from doing. You build the skill of shipping, and you get sharper.
• Cut out distractions: You can cut down distractions in your digital life, and you can cut out distractions in your physical life (such as by going minimalist). With fewer distractions, you can focus on doing.
• Practice Motivational Judo: If you understand the psychology that holds you back from doing, you can use it to your advantage. Start with a habit so ridiculously easy, you can’t stand to miss a day. I publish a 100-word Medium article every day.

I used techniques such as these to quadruple my creative productivity, and I’m even using them as I share what I learned adding productivity features to Google Calendar, in my new book Getting Art Done (sign up by May 5th to read it for free.)

If you can simply do, then get to doing. If you sometimes struggle to do, make a few changes to make doing easier.

Getting Art Done will help you overcome The Resistance and bring your work into the world. Sign up to read it for free (before May 5) »