Avoiding Action

“Action is the proper task of the rational being.” — Cleanthes

The Obstacle

The Avoider’s special move
Avoiding action.

The Avoider would have us
Skip the difficult
Choose the comfortable
The familiar.

It would have us not take action.
Delay
Procrastinate
Forget
Distract.

Because it is difficult.

There is a chance of failure
Heavy emotions are involved
History with people.

And so
We don’t start projects
Follow our dreams
Resolve conflict.

We delay better diets
Exercise
Learning skills
Making amends
Following dreams.

The conflict does not go away.
The project does not finish itself.
The resentment does not resolve.
The dream remains a dream.

The Gift and Opportunity

Besting the Avoider is
Simple
Not easy.

The remedy for the Avoider
Is to start.
Simple, yes?

Begin.

Break the resistance down
Into such a small piece
That it can be started
Without fear
Anxiety
Over thinking
Planning
Difficulty.

Just begin.
Easy?

Just start
One set of your workout.
Eat one healthy meal.
Grocery shop online without impulse buys.
Write what’s important in resolving conflict.
Dedicate five minutes to the project.
Write the first step of your dream.
One small achievable step.
Simple.

Refuse to focus on
The details
What could stop you
Where failure might be.

Start with no promise of finishing.
No letdown if you only do it for a minute.
No judgement.

See where starting takes you.

The Practice of Self-Mastery

• Start before you’re ready.

• Reduce the action until resistance disappears.

• Act without expectation of finishing.

• Let movement replace thinking.

  CHEAT CODE: SHRINK THE TASK → START A WITHOUT PROMISE → SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU