The Biggest Productivity Lie of them All (and you're a victim)
Article #117 of Life Unlocked - A newsletter by Dr Yath Prem, MD
Dear friends,
Recently, I attended a Chris Williamson live show, and something he said reminded me of an essay I came across a while back titled Things That Aren’t Doing the Thing. It’s a sharp, no-nonsense take on how easy it is to feel like we’re making progress when, in reality, we’re just stuck in the comfort of planning and preparation.
The essay lays it out plainly:
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.
It’s hitting me hard again today. Because, if I’m honest, there are a lot of things I’m currently telling myself I’m going to do but will probably never do. How often do you fall into this trap? We make elaborate plans, we organise our calendars, and we talk about our intentions with friends or on social media. And sure, these things have their place. But none of it actually moves the needle.
Chris’s talk was a wake-up call, and re-reading this essay was the follow-up slap in the face I didn’t know I needed. It’s the simplest yet most profound reminder: progress doesn’t happen until you take action. Real, messy, imperfect action.
Reflecting on all this, I’ve decided I need to (a) do the thing and (b) re-read this essay once a month until I never forget to do the thing. To stop circling the runway and take off.
So here’s a little nudge for both of us: Think of one thing you’ve been stalling on. A task you’ve planned, possibly re-planned and talked about endlessly. Take one concrete action this coming week. Not a plan or a step closer, but do the thing. I suppose Nike got their slogan spot on.
Progress doesn’t come from thinking about how good it will feel when it’s done. It comes from doing the thing.
Have a great week,
Dr Yath Prem, MD
If you’d like to support my work - I’d love a coffee.