"Just take action!"

We’ve all heard it before.

"Stop planning and start doing!" "Imperfect action beats perfect inaction!" "Ready, fire, aim!"

Taking action is important, sure.

But taking action…for what? To where?

I think the question of “for what?” is a very important question to answer.

You can take action to build something permanent.

Or you can take action doing things that that FEEL productive but in truth does nothing.

I always prioritize taking action to build systems that ‘takes the action’ FOR me.

Because action without direction is just motion.

Because motion without progress is exhausting.

Because I value time much more than the quick buck.

The way I see it:

1/ Actions are temporary. Systems are permanent.

When you "take action," you solve a problem once.

When you build a system, you solve a problem forever.

2/ Actions are reactive. Systems are proactive.

Taking action often means putting out fires.

Building systems prevents those fires from starting in the first place.

3/ Actions drain energy. Systems create it.