A bias for action
Hey there! Happy Monday!
This is a fitting topic for Monday, I think. If you have read this newsletter enough, you already know how much I love productivity systems.
But today I am discussing something that makes a bigger impact than any productivity system. David Allen recognized this in his book Getting Things Done – he called it the two minute rule. He writes that when we are recording our to-do’s, if a task will take less than two minutes, just go ahead and do it now rather than putting it on a list.
Keith Cunningham, author of The Road Less Stupid, refers to another way. He refers to this “do it now” mindset as a bias for action.
Almost everyone I work with has this bias for action. It’s inspiring to me, and a constant personal challenge to START NOW.
Honestly, some projects intimidate me a little. My first impulse is to go away and think about them for a bit. But I’ve noticed that this impulse robs me of the vital momentum gained by coming out of the gate strong.
So what does that mean for our artistic endeavors?
It means that when it comes time to paint, we get our butts in front of the easel with paints open and brushes in hand, and we start painting.
It means that we open the document and start typing.
It means that I sit my butt in the studio, hit the record button, and put my hands on the keys.
It means that we show up, and that we trust the muse to show up as well.
I hope your Monday has been a great one.
Until tomorrow,
Philip