Smart but Stuck: Action Beats Overthinking
"Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice." - Anton Chekhov
Most unfulfilled people are thinkers.
They spend their time gathering information and making plans.
But here's the problem: thinking alone doesn't get results. It's easy to get stuck just planning and never doing.
It is so, so easy to fall into the trap of constant information consumption: it's packaged well, available 24/7, and once you take the bait, the algorithm won't let you go.
It will continuously entice with an even better idea, with a new take on a problem, with a new way to try things.
So you keep scrolling, reading, watching, maybe even taking notes and then sorting them into categories. You feel inspired, you feel like you are finally starting to understand things, what it's all about. And that feels good. We are also wired to do more of what feels good.
Consuming more information requires no action; thinking about doing - planning - already boosts our mood. We get a sense of accomplishment, a reward, from doing just that.
“I really want to do it, just not yet.”
We almost feel ready to pounce into action, but we just want to see that next video that the algorithm has lined up for us.
Thinking and consuming more information is often the drug of choice for the smart people.
You can think all day and not change a thing in your life or the world. This is why so many people feel stuck. They're always preparing but never acting.
It's like getting all dressed up for a fancy party, but never going.
Doing is different. It turns knowledge into real-world results. It's the step that actually changes things. Doers make things happen. They turn ideas into reality.
We know it, and yet, it's so easy to push it to another tomorrow. We keep buying guides to the countries we won't travel to.
Learning about something is not learning the thing.
Reading about starting a business is not the same as starting a business.
Watching videos about writing a novel is not the same as writing a novel.
We can easily fool ourselves into thinking we're making progress when we're really just spinning our wheels on a stationary bike.
We like to think that more information helps us, but in reality, it's often more of a liability than an asset. Even if you get inspired enough to take action, reaching for more information often gets in the way of following through. It’s like sweeping leaves during a tornado.
That’s how I often get into the “work-in-progress” mode. I start, I make, I change, I break. I’ve realized that the only way to progress with my output it to radically limit the input. I don’t like the process, but I like the results.
Derek Sivers explains this well in his book Useful Not True.
He compares the mind to a computer. When you give a computer a task, it needs time to work without interruption. If you keep adding new information, it has to start over. It never finishes the job.
“But It tastes so Yummy!”
This is what happens when people constantly take in new information. They listen to podcasts, read books, and take courses. But they never stop to use what they've learned. They're always inputting, never outputting.
The solution? Know when to stop taking in information and start using it. At some point, you have enough knowledge. The just-in-case drawer is full.
In the digital world, nothing is ever finished unless you say it is.
If you see yourself in this scenario, take a step back, pause for a moment and ask yourself:
does consuming information lead to more action in my life or to searching for more information?
Stop interrupting yourself with new data. Pick a plan and challenge yourself to take it to the finish line, with all it’s rough edges, imperfections and your own point of view, not just a rehashed blend of other people’s ideas.
Don’t just consume - reflect.
This doesn't mean thinking and getting information is useless. It’s about balance.
Planning matters, but it should lead to action, not replace it. It's just the first step. The real change happens when you act on your plans. And by acting, I don't mean reshuffling information in a better version of your Second Brain or adorning your bullet journal pages with flowers.
I get it - it feels good, and it feels safe, but it's like playing Monopoly and believing you own some hotels.
Here's a simple truth: If you want to play it safe, hang out with thinkers. If you want to achieve something, spend time with doers. Thinkers will analyze with you. Doers will push you to make things happen.
Thinkers understand the world. Doers change it.
When you're stuck in a loop of planning and researching, stop.
You learn the most valuable lessons by doing, not just thinking. You've got the information. Now go use it.
Reflect on Your Information Habits
To determine if you're using information as an asset or a liability, ask yourself these questions:
When was the last time I took concrete action based on information I gathered?
If I stopped learning new things about my goal for a month and focused solely on applying what I already know, what could I accomplish?
What's the smallest action I could take right now to move towards my goal, using only the knowledge I currently have?
Am I using "I need to learn more" as an excuse to avoid the discomfort of taking action?
How much of what I've learned in the past six months have I actually put into practice?
What's the ratio of time I spend learning versus doing? Is this ratio serving my goals?
If I had to teach someone else how to achieve my goal using only what I know right now, what would I tell them to do first?
These questions can help you identify if you're stuck in an information loop. If you find it hard to answer these or realize you've been consuming information without acting on it, it's likely time to shift your focus from input to output.
The most valuable learning often comes from doing, not just thinking or studying.