In a world filled with endless resources, it’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of consuming information without ever taking action. Adam Grant’s post recently resonated with me, alongside an image by Janis Ozolins that I’m including here as a visual reminder of this important lesson:
“The 8th habit of highly effective people: They don’t spend all their time reading about the 7 habits of highly effective people. Extended reflection without action is a form of procrastination. Doing is a catalyst for thinking and learning.”
This simple but powerful message is a reminder that action is the key to growth. While we can spend countless hours reading, reflecting, and learning, it’s the doing that truly leads to progress.
The Trap of Over-Preparation
Many people, myself included, have fallen into the trap of over-preparation. It’s easy to tell ourselves we need just one more article, one more book, or one more podcast before we’re ready to act. I’ve been there. For a long time, I wanted to write more about the topics I care about in higher education. I felt passionate about contributing to conversations on student success, academic innovation, and leadership, but I found myself stuck in a loop of consuming information.
I read articles, books, and listened to podcasts, thinking that once I had enough knowledge, I could start writing. But here’s the thing: the “perfect” moment to start never came. It wasn’t until I realized that all the learning in the world wouldn’t matter if I didn’t take action that I made a shift.
Just Start: My Journey (back) into Writing and Publishing
Even though I’ve learned the valuable lesson in the past that you just have to start somewhere, it’s fascinating how easy it is to still fall into that trap. For a while, I found myself stuck again—focused on absorbing content rather than creating it. But about a month and a half ago, I decided to stop waiting and started writing. I launched my website with a blog to share my thoughts and experiences in the higher education space.
In that short time, I published an article from my blog in a well-known higher ed space and landed my first podcast appearance on the EdUp Experience. These accomplishments didn’t happen because I was sitting back, reading more. They happened because I took action. And in doing so, I realized once again: you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. You learn as you go. Each step builds confidence, and each action brings you closer to your goals.
The Paralyzing Effect of Procrastination
It’s easy to mistake procrastination for preparation. We tell ourselves that we’re being productive by learning more, but in reality, it can be a way of avoiding risk. There’s a certain comfort in reflection—learning feels safe. But the problem is, without action, we never move forward. We get stuck in our thoughts, waiting for the perfect time or enough knowledge to take the next step.
Procrastination is often linked to deeper emotional barriers, such as perfectionism, fear of failure, or anxiety. One common perspective that resonates with me is the idea that procrastination feeds off overthinking, preventing us from stepping out of our comfort zones. It is common to feel that everything must be perfect before starting, but the truth is, confidence grows through action.
Changing how we frame failure is another strategy that can help break free from this cycle. For instance, “Why not try?” as one person shared, is a powerful mantra. When we reframe failure as part of the learning process rather than something to avoid, we open ourselves to growth. You might fail, but even if the new approach doesn’t work, you will still learn something valuable.
Learning by Doing: The Best Teacher
The fear of failure or discomfort with risk can stop us from moving forward, but taking action—especially when the outcome is uncertain—is what leads to growth. There’s no better way to learn than by doing. As many have pointed out in discussions about Grant’s post, getting stuck in the idea phase can prevent progress. One person mentioned how they’ve seen people “over-prepare” for things, leading to analysis paralysis, while another noted that moving from idea to action is one of the hardest steps for most people.
In my own experience, I’ve realized that the best teacher has been the act of simply doing the action itself. Every article I’ve written and every opportunity I’ve pursued has taught me something new. Each experience has shaped my understanding and helped me improve. If I had waited until I felt “ready,” I would still be waiting.
Another great insight that emerged from the discussion is that confidence doesn’t come first—it builds through action. Taking small steps forward, even imperfect ones, can help you gain the clarity and momentum you need to keep moving. As someone pointed out, “you’re not paid to think forever—you’re paid to do the work.” The act of doing itself brings about deeper thinking and learning, something I’ve found to be true in my own writing journey.
Lessons for Higher Education: Overcoming Barriers to Change
In higher education, we often find ourselves caught in similar cycles of over-reflection and under-action when it comes to institutional change. As I’ve written in my previous article, Tradition to Transformation: The Need and Urgency in Navigating Change in Higher Education Institutions, many institutions are overbuilt for stability rather than adaptability, making them resistant to change despite the pressures of shifting demographics, technological advancements, and financial constraints.
Institutions, much like individuals, must break free from the cycle of over-preparation and embrace action. Action is the catalyst for progress, both on a personal level and within institutions that are slow to adapt. As I discussed in my article, overcoming these structural and cultural barriers requires leadership that fosters a mindset of adaptability and experimentation
Just as individuals need to take action to move past procrastination, so too do institutions need to embrace a bias toward action to overcome barriers. Higher education institutions can benefit from adopting the principle of learning by doing—trying new approaches, gathering feedback, and making adjustments as needed. Instead of waiting for the perfect solution, we need to start experimenting with ideas and learn from what works and what doesn’t.
Action Breeds Confidence
The act of doing is not just about achieving success; it’s about building confidence through experience. Every small step forward teaches us something new, and that knowledge helps us refine our approach. The more we act, the more confident we become in our abilities, and that confidence propels us to take on even greater challenges.
In higher education, just as in life, we can get caught in the cycle of over-preparation and under-action. But the most effective leaders, innovators, and change-makers understand that it’s the doing—taking risks, trying new things, and learning from those experiences—that drives true progress.
As highlighted in my previous article, effective change hinges on fostering a culture of adaptive leadership—one that encourages experimentation, learns from failures, and remains open to feedback. This lesson is just as critical for personal growth as it is for institutions facing structural barriers to change.
Final Thoughts
If you’re stuck in a cycle of learning without action, I encourage you to start. Don’t wait until you feel ready, because the truth is, that moment may never come. Start now, with whatever you have, and trust that the process of doing will teach you what you need to know.
The most valuable insight from these discussions is that action is what turns knowledge into growth. As one commenter mentioned, “Progress doesn’t start until you take action.” This aligns with my own experience—confidence grows when you move beyond contemplation and start doing.
In higher education, this lesson is critical. As we work to overcome the structural and cultural barriers to change, we need to take action, learn from our experiences, and build the confidence needed to drive lasting progress.
So, what’s your next step? Stop overthinking and start doing. The clarity, confidence, and success you’re looking for are on the other side of action.