Action
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Start doing things now rather than regretting not doing them earlier.
10 people, independently
- Initiate life improvements immediately, even if you believe time was wasted.4
Start pursuing your goals now, because five years will pass regardless and you will be older either way.
You will be someone who started something five years ago rather than wishing you had done so.
2 people, independently
Plant a tree now, since the next best time after 20 years ago is now.
3 people, independently
Help your future self starting today.
30s is young and yesterday is gone.
one person who lived it
Focus on forward movement over flawlessness.
Acting in any direction beats standing still, and flawless results are impossible to get.
15 people, independently
- Focus on doing over planning; execute imperfectly rather than waiting for a perfect plan.1
Focus on taking one small action at a time rather than trying to fix everything at once.
Action comes before motivation.
2 people, independently
Put down your phone, start working out, and find a friend to hold each other accountable.
These actions can create a positive snowball effect.
one person who lived it
Take little steps such as getting and keeping a job or starting to work out.
Working out guarantees you will feel better about yourself.
one person who lived it
18 more on this
Apply knowledge actively, because knowledge is pointless if it is not used.
Applied knowledge is true power.
4 people, independently
Go out and do things to meet people, even if you don't make friends immediately, to know yourself better.
One person reported that after isolating themselves, going out helped them meet more people and know themselves more.
- Based on one person's experience of leaving isolation.
one person who lived it
Focus on taking action rather than just talking or planning.
Life is about action, not talk.
one person who lived it
- Apply yourself and take action rather than just reading and planning.1
When feeling lazy, complete at least half of the task rather than doing nothing.
It is better than doing nothing.
one person who lived it
Keep pursuing opportunities actively.
You cannot hit the ball if you do not swing at it.
one person who lived it
Take action instead of complaining.
Action brings change.
one person who lived it
Start now instead of waiting, as delay increases the gap between you and those who began earlier.
Every year you wait widens the distance between their start date and yours; taking a chance on yourself is necessary.
one person who lived it
Focus on behavior over thoughts and feelings; take action to make changes regardless of how you feel.
Behavior drives change.
one person who lived it
When you are motivated, define specific actions to take when you are not; then execute those actions even if you don't feel like it.
to move you forward
one person who lived it
Stop thinking and start doing immediately, even with stupid action, because action creates motivation.
Urgency comes after action; once you begin, it gets easier to keep going, and starting is half the battle.
one person who lived it
- Start working first to generate motivation, rather than waiting for inspiration.2
Start the task immediately without thinking about how laborious it will be.
Thinking about the work involved often leads to failure; starting reveals the task is manageable.
one person who lived it
Take action, including doing tiny things consistently, to build confidence and feel good about yourself.
Only action gives you confidence.
one person who lived it
Start working toward something immediately to kick yourself out of negative loops and improve life.
Reaching goals or finding enjoyment breaks negative loops.
one person who lived it
Start immediately, trusting that change will happen slowly but surely.
Every second counts.
one person who lived it
Treat identity as something you vote for daily through small actions rather than deciding it once.
one person who lived it
Reduce overthinking and dreaming by taking direct action, such as approaching people immediately.
Acting helps you become more relaxed.
one person who lived it
Actively work on improving your weaknesses instead of merely acknowledging or complaining about them.
Recognizing your weaknesses is already a strength; the next step is action.
one person who lived it
Start doing the core action immediately instead of overthinking optimization details.
You can only adjust once you are consistently performing the action.
one person who lived it