12 Things that are not "Doing the Thing"

Recently I watched this video which talked about an essay from Strangest Loop called “Things that aren’t doing the thing”

Here’s my own amended list.

1. Preparing to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
2. Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
3. Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.
4. Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
5. Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn't doing the thing. 
6. Hating on other people who have done the thing isn't doing the thing. 
7. Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn't doing the thing.
8. Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing isn't doing the thing.
9. Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing the thing. 
10. Reading about how other people did the thing isn't doing the thing. 
11. Watching people on Youtube who have done the thing isn’t doing the thing.
12. Dreaming about how you’ll spend all the money and free time you have once you’ve done the thing isn’t doing the thing.

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

What’s the thing that you do, to avoid doing the thing?

Mine in order of preference to completely bullshit myself are:

• Checking email
• Looking at my phone
• Watching people more successful than me on Youtube talk about how to be successful

"One of man’s greatest Achilles Heels is “wishful thinking”

~ Someone on the internet.

Until the end of the year I’m trying to refine by own “Deep Life Stack” system from Cal Newport, he discussed it brilliantly in this video here.

As 2024 draws to a close I am appreciating more and more my favourite saying also learn from Newport.

Festina Lente.

Literally, make haste slowly.

Instead of rushing like I used to, to do many things.

I’m slowing down, doing less, and doing it better.

I also want to do 2 things more:

• Be bored
• Write

This post was amended from an original version, released in August 2024.

The removed bits were personal reflections that on second reading made me cringe.