Inaction often comes from over-planning. The more time you spend planning, the harder it becomes to take action.
James Clear said some projects benefit from early action. Writing a book is a great example. You might brainstorm for hours, but the book will reveal itself as you write. Action comes first, and organisation follows.
The dangers of inaction: how over-planning holds you back
Other projects need early planning – building a skyscraper without a plan will likely have multiple issues.
The key is knowing when to act and when to plan. Too much planning leads to inaction. Over-planning stops you from moving forward.
I’ve been reading a lot lately about this idea. Many of us spend hours preparing, but never actually begin. Planning feels productive, but it can be a form of procrastination.
Take running, for example. Some people spend ages searching for the perfect running shoes, shorts, caps and headphones. They never actually get out the door and start running. It’s the act of running that matters, not the gear you buy.
The same applies to many areas of life. We overthink the details instead of just getting started. Clear notes that in creative projects, “the key is to act first and then organise your thinking.” You don’t need all the answers before you begin.
Inaction is a major barrier to progress. It’s tempting to wait for the “right” moment, but often that moment never comes. If you start small, you build momentum.
Business can be the same. Endless meetings and strategy sessions can delay action. Sometimes, the best approach is to start, even if the plan isn’t perfect. You can adjust as you go.
James Clear reminds us that some tasks need detailed planning upfront. This is true for complex projects where mistakes can be costly. But even here, too much planning can slow you down.
The risk of inaction is greater than the risk of failure. When you act, you can learn and improve. When you don’t act, you get stuck in place.
Perfectionism is often the root cause of inaction. We wait for everything to be perfect, but it rarely is. Clear notes that it’s better to act first, then refine. You can always go back and organise later.
Think about learning a new skill. You can research techniques forever, but if you never try, you’ll never improve. Practice and experience are more valuable than perfect preparation.
Inaction guarantees no progress. Action, even small steps, leads to results. You learn more by doing than by planning.
Breaking the cycle of inaction: start before you’re ready
How do you break the cycle of inaction? Start before you’re ready. You can always make adjustments as you go.
Some projects, like building a skyscraper, need a clear plan. But most tasks benefit from action. Don’t let over-planning stop you from making progress.
James Clear asks an important question: “Do you need early action or early planning?” The answer depends on the project, but more often than not, early action is the key to success.