Things That Aren’t 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.

Inspired by Strangest Loop


Comments

24 responses to “Things That Aren’t Doing The Thing”

  1. WarpedDude Avatar
    WarpedDude

    True story. Often times we get placated with feelings of accomplishment and platitudes from others, so we feel fulfilled. Yet, low and behold, the thing still isn’t done…

    1. Well said. “…the thing still isn’t done…” I can only imagine how many have had that exact thought after exhausting themselves trying to appease others. Investing time, emotional energy, and mental bandwidth into fulfilling someone else’s ideals rather than their own. This piece by Strangest Loop, made even more popular by Chris Williamson, is a powerful reminder to simply do the thing

    1. Hi Dianne. I’m so glad this resonates with you as well! Is there something in particular that sometimes stop you from “doing the thing”?

  2. Fantastic! So, I guess this means we need to just Do The Thing! Thanks, Progredito! Inspirational reminder.

    1. Hi Cynthia! Call me Hannes.

      Haha, indeed! I love this piece and it always serves as such a great reminder that the work just needs doing. Ultimately it comes down to sitting at the desk and answering the email, opening the word document, continuing with the project.

      The work just needs doing.

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  3. Sportochick Avatar
    Sportochick

    This makes so much sense that my head is spinning.

    1. I’m so glad to hear that! Haha, I hope you find your feet again, after your head stopped spinning.

      You and me both. That’s why I just had to share it.

  4. Well said – great reminder to DO THE THING! Thanks. 🙂

    1. It’s such a pleasure, Ann! It’s something great to ponder…but then again…

      “Pondering about something that is inspirational, is not doing the thing.”

      Haha. It can become an endless list, until we just end up doing the thing.

  5. So very, very true.

    1. Just got to go and do the thing! 🙂

  6. Yes, it’s all in the mind.

    1. It absolutely is!

  7. Tawnya Gardner Avatar
    Tawnya Gardner

    Thanks, I needed this today. Sometimes, health issues stop me from doing the thing. But I still need to get it done.. or it all builds up and one thing turns into a thousand things.

    1. I’m so glad to hear that this article found you at the right time, Tawnya.

      Haha! It is bad enough to deal with one thing. Imagine a thousand things.
      Well, just let the first domino fall, and the rest will follow.

  8. We need to remove the thoughts that hold us captive to the feelings of failure. Then we can succeed at doing anyTHING we desire.

    1. Well said, Jeannie! It seems we often hold onto the dream rather than take the steps to pursue it, perhaps out of fear of failure. But I’ve found that failure is actually a valuable turning point. It reveals what works, what doesn’t, and gives us the chance to refine our strategy and move forward stronger.

  9. The big old Procrastination and me are good friends. But getting away from him is the best thing ever! He makes you pretend that you are being useful, when useless is the better word! I am a list maker, my Father was, my Mother was, it is a good habit for the Dr’s for symptoms and reminders, but that is all. When you next think of the thing that needs doing, just do it!

    1. You are absolutely right! He seems to be cunning, drawing a blind over our eyes and making us believe we are productive when we are actually stalling on the most important tasks. That’s interesting to hear! I’m also a list maker! Whether on my phone or the pocket notebook I carry with me, I’m constantly adding things to my to-do list, deciding how important they actually are, and then tackling the tasks accordingly.

  10. Ha ha! Well said… and so true.

    1. Haha! Very much so.

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