Bridging the Inaction Chasm

There is a void that exists in front of each person called the “inaction chasm”. It is that space that exists between the thought of your next first step and the actual action.

For some, this chasm is smaller than others, but leave no doubt it exists for everyone. No matter how big or small, determining how to bridge this chasm and get yourself from inaction to action can be hard. Thoughts about the task or situation generate your feeling about the task and while they can be true, they are not always effective in helping you take the next first step. Many of these thoughts that prevent action include:

• I have to do this perfectly. Mistakes will make me look incompetent.
• I don’t know how to accomplish this task. I’ve never done it before.
• What if I mess up? What will my supervisor think of me? Or my colleagues?
• It will take too long to reach my goal.
• I don’t want to do this task.
• I don’t have time.

These thoughts are weak building materials and only create a larger chasm. To build a sturdy bridge that will carry you from inaction to action, you need strong building materials that lead to motivation and confidence. The materials you use to build the bridge will determine if you make it to the other side.

Changing your perspective will create the strength you need to build the bridge. Thoughts that are equally true as those that prevent action but are far more effective include:

• I have done other tasks that I didn’t know how to do at first.
• I may be confused, but I know how to find answers.
• I can do hard things.
• I will learn from any mistakes I make and course correct.
• The obstacles I conquer give me the strength I need to be successful.

Simply, humans all grow comfortable with the place they are sitting right now. As humans, survival instincts demand you conserve your energy and take the easiest road and the easiest road is standing still. But you won’t grow or develop if you stand still.

Once you have evaluated and shifted your perspective to gather strong building materials, here are some tangible strategies you can use to help build the bridge:

• Eliminate Distractions—Examine your life and habits and see what is present that gives you the “excuse” of distraction from the hard goals. This includes time wasters that pull you away from your priorities.
• Simplify the First Step—Planning when you will do tasks, laying out the tools needed for the task in advance, or gathering the knowledge needed, prepares you to take action with as little effort as possible. This strategy capitalizes on the human instinct to keep it easy.
• Surround Yourself with Community—Choosing to surround yourself with others, like colleagues, who share the same goals provides support when times get tough. They can be there for you when you need motivation and you can be there for them when they are in need.
• Make Your Goals and Progress Public—Putting your goals into the world helps keep you accountable. Knowing others will cheer you on, encourage you, and celebrate your small wins along the way helps keep the passion and excitement burning when the hard work becomes mundane.

The inaction chasm is transformable. The power to shrink the chasm is within each of you. Focusing on changing your perspective and making that next first step easier will give you the power to build the bridge.