How To Start Taking Action
Understanding what is preventing you from taking actions you want.
My Battle
I lifted another potato chip to my mouth and audibly said “NO! No more.”
Before I could comprehend what I was doing, I’d eaten 6 handfuls of chips with no sign of stopping.
Had my awareness not snapped me back into the moment, I’d probably have eaten the whole bag of chips.
Rather than my typical “I’ll just have one more” (you and I both know that’s a lie!), I put my seventh handful of potato chips back into the bag before I could shovel another down my gullet.
I’ve seen this sort of challenge come up in a variety of different ways: “I’ll stop doom scrolling on social media after this video” or “I’ll stop checking the stats of this blog once I hit 100 views”.
I’ve even seen this pattern in things I want to do, but repeatedly delay: “I’ll launch my business after making my business plan”, or “I’ll write this book once I’ve done enough research”.
I fall into the trap of delaying action so frequently, I’ve given it a name: the Action Mirage.
The Action Mirage is the tendency to delay action by convincing yourself that the next moment will be more suitable, when the perfect time to act is now.
You might even have recognized it in yourself. What’s that one thing you want to do, but have been putting off?
Two Types of Action Mirages
The Action Mirage is a powerful force, and it impacts things we want to do just as often as it impacts things we don’t want to do.
The Action Mirage of Starting delays us from doing the things we know we should do.
During the workday at lunchtime, I feel a subtle ‘ping’ in my conscious which signals that I should close my computer and go for a walk.
The Action Mirage causes me to think otherwise, with rational, but misguided logic: “Once I send 10 more cold emails, then I’ll go outside.”
But by going outside at this moment, I’ll be more productive during the rest of the day.
When overcome by the Action Mirage, I insist on sending 10 more emails, which are subpar because I am focused on the mental break I need instead.
The Action Mirage of Stopping delays us from quitting the things we know we shouldn’t do.
I experience this constantly with snacking, hence my ongoing war with potato chips.
I have a tendency to stand in the kitchen, snacking on something on the counter, until I’m stuffed, or finish the entire container.
But there are brief moments throughout the binge where I know that I should stop, but the Action Mirage is often stronger: “I can’t stop eating chips now, I just got a new handful! After this one I’ll stop.”
Defeating the Action Mirage
The good news is that while the Action Mirage is a powerful force, it can be defeated.
To beat the Action Mirage, cultivate a bias for action by recognizing and honoring your innate drive to do what needs to be done.
Turn this awareness into a habit by consistently acting on that drive without hesitation, captured in the acronym ACT: Acknowledge, Commit, Turn.
Let’s say you’re at the gym and can’t stop scrolling on your phone between sets, but you have a desire to stop.
The moment you recognize yourself on your phone, acknowledge what you’re delaying mentally (or verbally!).
Then commit to taking the first step. Put your phone in your pocket, on the floor, or wherever you set it during sets.
Finally, turn this bias for action into habit by practicing this daily over time.
After some time; you will notice the urge before you whip out your phone, and use it as an opportunity to refocus on your sets.
Where Do We Go From Here
The Action Mirage is a bias that impacts everyone, myself included, on a daily basis.
If you know someone who this doesn’t affect, have them call me so I can ask them some questions!
The thing about developing a bias for action is it’s like a muscle—it can be strengthened over time with training.
So the lesson for you and I: find one opportunity today to cultivate a bias for action, no matter how small.
Bonus points if you take action while you’re tempted to delay.