Discover the game-changing strategies for success that will revolutionize the way you pursue your dreams and propel you toward your goals.
I was scrolling through Instagram reels when I came across a video that changed how I perceived my goal. Chris Williamson read a short essay by Strangest Loop called Doing The Thing.
I immediately knew I wanted to tell you guys about it!
Doing the thing is a concept that emphasizes taking action instead of talking about it, making up excuses, or planning. It is rolling up your sleeves and getting things done.
Grab a cup of brew and let’s dive into the world of doing the thing whilst discussing the strategies for success.
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Doing the Thing - Strangest Loop
Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing.
“Preparing to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Scheduling time to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Making a to-do list for the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Telling people you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Writing a banger tweet about how you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Hating on other people who have done the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Fantasizing about all of the adoration you’ll receive once you do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Reading about how to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Reading about how other people did the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Reading this essay isn’t doing the thing.
The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” — Strangest Loop
The breakdown: Why action trumps all
Preparing, scheduling, and to-do lists
“Preparing to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Scheduling time to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Making a to-do list for the thing isn’t doing the thing.”
The first 3 lines encompass preparing, scheduling, and making a to-do list to do the thing.
It is a prime example of productive procrastination. This is when you do productive tasks, however, it delays the completion of the overall important task such as avoiding studying by organizing your desk.
Although preparation, scheduling, and to-do lists are important to organize your goals; action is still required to fulfill the goal.
Talk. Talk. Talk.
“Telling people you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Writing a banger tweet about how you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.”
Have you ever heard the phrase: Work in silence and let success make the noise?
The next three lines give me that vibe. You cannot be all talk and no action.
Announcing your plans and intentions to people will contribute to your accountability, but it doesn’t substitute the act itself.
Messaging friends can give you motivation, however motivation is temporary.
I’ve mentioned in a previous post that you can use social media as a tool to help you with accountability and ultimately your goals. However, these aren’t strategies for success because they aren’t tangible steps.
Hate shifting
“Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Hating on other people who have done the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.”
I don’t know if this is an actual concept or if I just created it. But I do like the sound of it!
When the going gets tough we turn to excuses and hatred. Does any of these sound familiar:
- Why did they get the promotion when I worked my b*tt off?
- I am never going to be good enough. I might as well give up.
- It’s just too difficult. I cannot take another failure!
Can you relate? That’s what I call hate shifting. You turn to hatred towards yourself, others, and the situation when you get fed up trying.
Well, honey, it’s not about how many times you fail or how hard it gets. No. It’s pushing through and doing the thing. Negative thoughts will only demote your progress.
Get your head out of the clouds
“Fantasizing about all of the adoration you’ll receive once you do the thing isn’t doing the thing.”
Fantasizing about the adoration or ultimate success will get you nowhere. If you focus on the end goal you’ll never survive the journey.
It is one of the most common goal-setting mistakes people make. Check out the other 7 here!
Do things that will lead to real results.
Reading isn't always the answer
“Reading about how to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Reading about how other people did the thing isn’t doing the thing.
Reading this essay isn’t doing the thing.”
Get your nose out of the books. Yes, reading is an amazing way to learn about the goal you want to achieve. It is motivating and captivating to read other people’s stories.
Regardless, the best way to learn is to try and fail.
You can consume hundreds of books to prepare but nothing beats just starting.
Do the thing
“The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.”
Ultimately, the only way to make real progress is to take actionable steps toward your dreams. One of the most important strategies for success is to take action. In other words, just start and keep going.
Conclusion
All of the above are strategies for success nicely compressed into 15 powerful lines. It’s quite literally The Art of Doing.
Stop procrastinating and spending time on draining tasks that won’t take tangible steps toward success.
Save this quote and keep it close whenever you need a reminder and motivation.
Comment your favorite sentence down below and let’s talk about it.
I had a blast writing this post!
Have an amazing day wherever you are in the world!
Love, Steph ♥
