Daveraj Sikder

A common mistake new entrepreneurs have is being in stuck in motion vs action. When starting a new venture.

When you’re in motion you take you take steps to be more prepared. But when you are in action you take steps to see a result.

Some examples of being in motion

• Creating a business plan, registering the LLCs, reading 30 books, watching 20 youtube videos, and talking to your friends. That’s motion. Getting a client, doing the work, and getting the invoiced paid. That’s action.
• I’m reading 5 book on how to draw, that’s motion. If I’m drawing that’s action.
• If I’m watching cooking videos to learn how to cook, that’s motion. If I’m in the kitchen making food, that’s action.
• If I’m reading an article that’s motion. If I’m writing an article that’s action.
• If I’m talking to a personal trainer that’s motion. If I’m lifting the weights that’s action.

There is a balance between motion and action. You sometimes need motion in order to learn more about how to take action. But it doesn’t matter how many times you are learning a new way. If you never take the steps to start you’ll always be stuck in motion.

Why people get stuck in motion

We get caught in motion when we need to plan or learn something. When we start making a plan or learning it makes us feel like there is no risk of failure. (Because who wants to fail when trying sometimes new) This can include not wanting social backlash, fear of failure, and being doubtful. It doesn’t feel good failing when everything on social media is being pumped with success stories. And that’s a huge reason why we slip into motion instead of taking action.

Being in motion feels like your hooked on a drug. “Yea I’ve been learning about entrepreneurship online”, “I’ve spoken to a few personal trainers for some work out advice”, and “I’ve got a few startup ideas I want to start”.

Motion is just the preparation of getting something done. When you spend too much time preparing. That should be a wake up call to change something.

How to Take Action

1. Set time to take action

I’ve been planning to start a blog and write consistently for the past year and a half. I’ve bought a domain, created a website, and came up with some article ideas. But I’ve never taking any action. Until now.

I’m setting a goal to publish 2 articles a week on my personal blog. Every Wednesday and Saturdays. That’s going to be my routine. No matter how bad or great these article are that’s my cycle. Because I know that Wednesday and Saturday’s are my days. I get a “high” feeling knowing that I’ve published another few hundreds words for a few people to read around the world.

2. Have an accountability partner 

For some task you may be carried away being stuck in motion. Having a accountability partner where you can check in and tell them what you’ve been doing can help you see that you’re taking action.

This requires some scheduling, having someone trustworthy, and being honest with yourself. For example, you spent a few more hours than you’d like on planning. But having an accountability partner who’s checking in, can stop you before you’re spending even more time planning.

For an accountability partner. I like scheduling 15 mins calls 3 times a week. That way we have a routine and know what’s to be expected.

Take Action

Motion won’t produce anything. Action will. When you’re in motion you’re just planning. That’s great but they don’t produce anything.

Are you still planning? Are you still learning?

Or. Are you taking action? Do you see the result?