In today’s social media world, it’s common to hear the mantra “take action” being preached by successful individuals and influential figures like James Clear or Michael Sartain. They advocate for the idea that doing something, rather than passively consuming information or endlessly debating on forums, is the key to achieving success. Undoubtedly, there is merit to this perspective. Reading countless books and engaging in theoretical discussions without ever putting your knowledge into practice will lead you nowhere. However, I believe that the secret to success goes beyond mere action.
Allow me to share my personal journey and hard-earned insights. I’ve always been a proactive person, constantly engaging in various activities to improve myself. For instance, I created over 4,000 YouTube videos across multiple channels. Yet, despite my efforts, none of the channels gained traction or witnessed substantial growth. Similarly, I religiously followed the CrossFit regimen for five years, investing considerable time and energy, but failed to see significant gains in muscle size.
It was through these experiences that I came to understand the limitations of action alone. Merely doing something is not enough; we must ensure that our actions are aligned with the right strategies and goals. It is the quality of our practice that truly matters. In my case, I was making the same mistakes repeatedly, without taking the time to learn, analyze, and adapt. I neglected essential aspects I didn’t enjoy, such as learning Photoshop to create compelling YouTube thumbnails that could improve the click-through rate.
A similar pattern emerged in my pursuit of excellence in the game League of Legends. I played thousands of matches, investing countless hours into the game, yet I struggled to surpass the Platinum 5 ranking. It wasn’t until I realized the importance of analysis, growth, and focused dedication to a single champion that I began to make progress.
The underlying message here is clear: we must move beyond the surface level of action and delve into the realm of deliberate practice. It is through deliberate practice that we refine our skills, correct our mistakes, and continuously improve. Rather than mindlessly repeating the same actions, we should actively seek feedback, study successful models, and make adjustments accordingly. By incorporating this mindset, we can truly unlock our potential and propel ourselves toward success.
Action is better than theory and knowledge consumption. It’s much easier to consume thousands of hours of audiobooks or podcasts and feel like you’ve accomplished something or know all the ins and outs of a skill. The issue is you may not because some things just need real world experience to progress, like basketball. And knowledge consumption is better than no knowledge consumption because many are just going off in life without having ever read a single book or learned from experienced, aged, mentors who have come before them, only to waste a lot of time and money making mistakes that were already made and could’ve been avoided. But beyond action and knowledge is analysis, reflection, growth, and perfect practice.
So, how can we go beyond mere action and embrace deliberate practice? It starts with a willingness to learn and adapt. We must be open to acquiring new skills, exploring different strategies, and analyzing our results critically. Surrounding ourselves with mentors, coaches, or supportive communities can provide invaluable guidance and perspective.
Moreover, developing a growth mindset is helpful. Embrace challenges, view failures as opportunities for growth, and maintain a sense of perseverance and resilience. Success rarely comes overnight, but by committing to continuous improvement and dedicating ourselves to deliberate practice, we increase our chances of achieving meaningful progress.
In conclusion, while action is undeniably an essential ingredient in the recipe for success, it alone is not enough. We must transcend the realm of mere action and venture into the realm of deliberate practice. By ensuring that our actions align with effective strategies, constantly analyzing and learning from our experiences, and embracing a growth mindset, we can pave the way for true success.
