Doing the "Thing"

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.”

— William James 

In a prior blog post, I talk about the difference between fantasy and imagination.  We fantasize about the life we want, but until we act, it remains only a fantasy.  Specifically:

“Fantasy feels good. It creates the illusion of change. It paints a future version of ourselves that has already done the hard work. But it asks nothing of us in return. Imagination, in contrast, is a tool — it invites us into partnership. It whispers, 'Let’s build something real.'”

We are, by nature, dreamers.
It’s one of the things that makes us beautifully, dangerously human.

 Our minds can conjure entire worlds in seconds — possibilities, futures, identities, relationships, accomplishments — all born in the realm of our imagination. And imagination, as I’ve written before, is powerful. It opens the door. It stretches us beyond what we’ve known. It invites vision.  It requires action.

Imagination without action IS still fantasy.
It’s a story we tell ourselves to feel better about not moving.

But the action required for imagination also has a shadow side.  The truth of mistaking preparation for participation.

The brilliant minds at the Strangest Loop created this valuable list of Things That Aren’t Doing the Thing reminding of us of this truth. Because we have ALL been there.  We have been stuck in the loop of thinking we are making progress, when the truth is we are stuck in planning.  Here is their list:

• 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 the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing isn't doing the thing. (There is that fantasy again!)

• 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.


The only thing that IS doing the thing, is doing the thing.


It’s harsh. But also liberating.
Because it means we don’t need more research, more planning, more courage, or more healing before we start. We just need to start.

So, what keeps us from taking the next right step?

Fear:  Of failure. Of success. Of what people will think.
Planning feels safe. So does preparing. Even self-loathing becomes a twisted form of action. Shaming ourselves is an illusion that feels like we’re doing something, giving attention to the issue.  As people say, even negative attention is attention.

Shame:  That inner voice that says, “you’re already too late” or “you’ve already failed.”
We circle the thing instead of touching it.

Control:  We want guarantees. We try to perfect the conditions.
We imagine a version of ourselves who’s finally “ready.”

But here’s another truth:  You will never be “ready.” If you wait for “ready” you will be waiting a VERY long time.  It is like waiting for “perfect.”  The perfect time or place.  Waiting until you have enough money or a different job or relationship.  Until you change every bad habit you can imagine for yourself.  You must instead just start. Any way you can.

The shift comes from dreaming to doing, from fantasy to engagement.

Imagination is sacred. It is an invitation to move. To stir the waters, to disrupt, to pull us into the now. To show us not just what could be, but what’s asking to be born.

The invitation is simple.  Let imagination be the spark. But let doing be the flame.

So today, whatever your “thing” is — the book, the boundary, the walk, the call, the conversation, the quitting, the starting, the silence — put down the list.   Close the tabs.  Step into the thing.  TRUST that you know what is best for you, find the path needed to get there, and then take the first step.

So, close this blog and get a move on.  Because reading this blog post…
isn’t doing the thing either. 🥰🥰

Much love to you all and keep moving forward with whatever your imagination can conjure.