American writer Dale Carnegie once said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” I was talking with someone recently about how so many people struggle with inaction. They struggle to just…start. A new business, a new project, a new hobby, a new goal…

Not because they’re incapable. Not because they’re lazy. But because they think motivation is supposed to come first. But that’s backwards. People think motivation is a feeling. Like one day you wake up and suddenly feel disciplined, confident, inspired, clear, or ready.

That’s rarely how it works.

Most of the time, the action creates the motivation. An action breaks the inertia. You see it everywhere once you notice it.

The kid who is scared to shoot in lacrosse finally takes one shot…then suddenly they want the ball more. The employee who is terrified to speak up finally says something in a meeting and realizes others were thinking the same thing. The person who is scared to go to the gym gets through one workout, and suddenly the second workout feels easier mentally and physically.

Action creates proof. And proof changes people.

Never a perfect time

Last Friday, I graduated from college…23 years after I first started. Afterward, my wife said something that stuck with me. She said, “I’m proud of you. I could have never done that.”

I said, “What do you mean? Yes, you could.” And then she started listing everything out.

“You were dealing with your mom dying, your dad dying. Your career. Coaching. The gym. Side businesses. Life. All of the things in life were stacked against you.”

And honestly, I didn’t really know how to answer other than: “I don’t know, you just do it because there will always be a thing.”

I was able to achieve this, not because I’m special. Not because I had unlimited motivation. Not because I had some perfect plan. But because I simply took action, which led to motivation. You just eventually realize there is never a perfect time. There is always another event coming. Another busy season. Another death. Another stressful month. Another reason to delay it. And then one day you look up and 5 years have passed. Or 10. Or 20.

I think a lot of people are unknowingly waiting for life to calm down before they start becoming who they want to become. But life doesn’t really work like that. Most meaningful things are built while life is chaotic. Not after. That’s why momentum matters so much. Momentum is what you feel, not motivation.

One step at a time

You don’t need your entire future figured out. You just need action. Because action creates energy. Action creates confidence. Action creates belief.

People wait for motivation when they should probably just start acting. Even slowly. After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And in time, the confidence, courage, and motivation will come. Because motivation is usually the outcome…not the start.