“Action is the foundational key to all success.” — Pablo Picasso

I have been reflecting on something that took me a long time to understand, and it is simple but easy to overlook. The people who make progress in any area of life are usually not the ones who have the perfect plan. They are the ones who are willing to take action, even when they feel uncertain.

When we feel stuck, it is often not because we do not care or do not know what to do. More often, we spend a lot of time thinking, planning, and preparing without actually beginning. Planning can feel productive, but sometimes it quietly becomes a way of avoiding the discomfort of starting.

When Goals Feel Overwhelming

One common reason we avoid action is that the goal feels too big. When something feels overwhelming or intimidating, it can create a kind of paralysis. In many cases, that is not a sign that you are incapable. It is a sign that the step you are trying to take is too large.

If taking action feels heavy, reduce the size of the action. Progress does not need to be dramatic to be meaningful. Small, consistent actions are often what create real change. Any progress is better than no progress, especially when it can be repeated.

The Problem With “Exciting” Plans

Another trap is that we often plan based on what feels exciting rather than what is realistic. It feels motivating to imagine fast results or big changes. For example, if you have never run before, planning to run a 5K within a month might feel exciting when you write it down.

But something feeling exciting does not mean it is realistic. Unrealistic plans often fail in practice, and when they do, it is easy to take that as a personal failure. In reality, it usually means the plan was not well matched to your starting point.

Instead of asking, “Does this plan feel exciting?” it is more useful to ask, “Is this small enough that I can actually do it consistently?”

Progress Is Not a Performance

There is also a subtle pressure to make our actions look impressive. If a step feels too small to mention or not serious enough, we may dismiss it. We sometimes treat progress as something that needs to be visible or validated.

But progress is not a performance. An action does not need to be impressive or dramatic. It only needs to move you in the right direction.

If you have never lifted weights before, you would not attempt a 100 kg deadlift on your first day. That would not mean you cannot become strong. It would simply mean you need to start at a level that matches your current capacity.

The same applies to habits, goals, and personal growth. Where you start will not be where you end, but you do have to start from where you are.

Action Builds Self-Trust

There is another important piece that often gets overlooked.

When we spend a long time planning without following through, we slowly stop trusting ourselves. We make plans, set intentions, and then do not act on them. Over time, this can create a quiet belief that we are not someone who follows through.

This is not about discipline alone. It is about trust.

Small actions help rebuild that trust. Every time you follow through on something, even if it is simple, you are showing yourself that you can keep a promise. That matters more than it seems.

At the same time, you begin to shift your identity. Instead of seeing yourself as someone who thinks about change, you start to see yourself as someone who takes action. That identity grows with repetition.

This is one of the reasons small steps are so powerful. They are not just moving you forward externally. They are changing how you relate to yourself internally.

Focus on Action and Systems

Instead of spending too much time designing the perfect plan, it can help to shift your focus. Give yourself a short amount of time to think, then move toward action.

Rather than asking whether something is impressive or exciting, ask whether it is small, clear, and repeatable.

It also helps to think in terms of systems, not just actions. An action is something you do once. A system is what makes it easier to keep doing it.

For example, instead of setting a broad goal like “eat healthier,” you might choose a simple action and support it with a system:

• Action: Replace one daily meal with a meal that includes protein and fibre

• System: Keep simple protein options and fibre sources available at home, so the choice becomes easier to follow through on

The action creates direction. The system supports consistency.

A helpful reminder is:

Speed, feedback, and correction often beat perfection.

Taking action gives you feedback. It shows you what works and what needs to change. You cannot get that clarity through thinking alone.

A 3-Minute Reflection Activity

Think about one area of your life where you want to make progress.

Now ask yourself:

Where have I been planning, thinking, or waiting more than actually doing?

Set a timer for three minutes and write down:

1. One goal or change you want to move toward

2. Three very small actions that could bring you closer

3. One simple system that would make those actions easier to repeat

4. One action you can take today

Keep everything smaller than you think it should be.

For example:

Goal: Improve my physical health

Actions:

• Take a 10-minute walk

• Add one protein and fibre-focused meal each day

• Drink one extra glass of water

System:

• Include easy protein snacks and fibre-rich foods in weekly groceries

• Keep simple options available for busy days

None of these steps are impressive on their own. But they are realistic, repeatable, and effective over time.

The goal is not to completely change everything at once. The goal is to create movement, rebuild trust with yourself, and develop the identity of someone who follows through.

What is one small action you are willing to take today?