At the age of 25, I wanted to write a book. Not just any book—my masterpiece. It was going to be about the importance of being present, the volatility of life, and how our human relationships shape the future.
I had just gone through the most difficult season of my life. This book was meant to be a gift, a legacy.
I planned it for five years.
I chose the font. I designed the cover. I mapped out the chapters. I imagined illustrations. I crafted the flow and themes and even envisioned how readers would feel when they reached the final page.
There’s just one problem:
You won’t find the book on any shelf.
Because I never wrote it.
I got stuck in motion, not action.
As James Clear wrote in Atomic Habits:
“Motion makes you feel like you’re getting things done. But really, you’re just preparing to get something done. Action is what actually produces outcomes.”
Planning felt productive. Perfecting the vision gave me comfort. But I wasn’t moving forward. I wasn’t doing anything.
I was waiting to be ready.
Here’s what I’ve learned since then:
You’ll never be 100% ready. Success is not about having a perfect plan. It’s about showing up—messy, vulnerable, and in progress—and committing to the long haul.
The key to any success I’ve had? I don’t quit. I connect. I take the next step. I trust the process. I act.
As an old Chinese proverb says:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
So here’s my question to you:
- What’s the one thing in your life where you’re stuck in motion—but not taking action?
- And what would it look like to start today?
Love,
Laszlo
