Thought VS. Action

Increasingly I have noticed that the primary impediment to action is the thought of action.

I constantly think about what I will do, how it should be done, and what will be done after.

I come up with plans and processes for the action. This mental activity unnecessarily delays my course of action: I am mentally deliberating instead of doing.

One example is in writing this very post: I was thinking of what to write and how to write it, and so nothing was written.

To break this writer’s block, I simply started writing – I took the first step.

How should I know what the second sentence will be until I have written the first?

Upon taking the first step, the second will be known. This is the subtle truth of action.

Plotting and planning is unnecessary. We may derive some sense of comfort from our forecast, but it never exactly matches reality.

If we spend time thinking instead of doing, it may never get done.

You cannot know the next step until you have taken this one because the next step is relative to this one – action must be taken one step at a time.

When you are paralyzed in mental deliberation, you must break the cycle.

Stop thinking right now and make your move, initiate the course of action and follow wherever it leads.

If you remain present and engage in each step with full consciousness, the next step will come naturally.

Ben

If I had to pick one word to describe myself, it would be diverse. I am passionate and interested in many things: mindfulness, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, craft beverages, writing, traveling, language… I could list more, but you get the idea.

Diversity is incredibly important, biodiversity for instance increases the adaptability of an ecosystem, which is the foundation of life.

I believe that philosophical diversity is the foundation of innovation and societal development. Through my writing, I urge people to expand and develop their own unique perspective.

So what has shaped my perspective?

A lot of exploration. Driven by a deep curiosity of consciousness, I have spent significant time both reflecting on my life and challenging myself with new and different experiences.

I have traveled to over 20 countries, learned multiple foreign languages, and read about multiple religions, philosophies, and psychological schools of thought.

Reach out any time: ben@creativecomprehension.com