As a young boy, I hated taking a bath. It’s not that I enjoyed smelling like an old potato. I just didn’t want to take the time to get clean.

So when my mom would holler upstairs for me to talk a bath, I’d stonewall. I’d pretend I didn’t hear her. I’d even hide under my bed.

She would find me and again order me into the tub. And then I’d argue. I’d whine. I’d complain, “None of my friends have to take a bath!”

For all the drama I created, you’d have thought she was asking me to share candy with my brother.

Eventually, I knew the gig was up, and I’d get into the tub.

Thinking about doing is more exhausting than doing.

The thought of taking a bath: 50 minutes; taking a bath: 5 minutes.

What have you been thinking about doing instead of doing?

• Updating your resume?
• Scheduling that surgery?
• Having a tough conversation?
• Starting that project plan?
• Saving for your retirement?
• Planting your garden?

Complaining is exhausting. Avoiding…exhausting. Making excuses…exhausting. Arguing…exhausting. Dreading…exhausting. Reviewing every negative aspect associated with doing is exhausting.

Doing is rarely as dreadful as thinking about doing. Once you commit to getting started, momentum carries you. Not only is doing easier than thinking about doing, but doing also gives you the ability to check something off your list, giving you a sense of progress, engagement, fulfillment, and accomplishment.

What do you need to stop thinking about doing so you can start doing today?