Think Macro Act Micro

It’s the start of another year and people are extra motivated to start working towards those goals they've been keeping in the back of their minds for a while. Unfortunately, most people will give up on those goals by the time February comes around because they feel like all the actions they already took didn't have an impact at all. They don't understand that anything worth accomplishing requires a lot of action and patience to let the actions turn into results over time.

The mindset of the people that actually accomplish the goals they set out for themselves is different. They think macro but act micro. They keep the end in mind while focusing on what actions they can take every day to get them to that goal. It requires a long-term mindset instead of a short-term one. This is what separates the few from the crowd.

Thinking in a macro perspective involves taking a broad, long-term view and considering the bigger picture. It involves considering the long-term consequences and implications of your actions and decisions, rather than just focusing on the short-term.

Acting in a micro perspective, on the other hand, involves focusing on the actions you have to take today to achieve your goals. It involves breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces and focusing on the immediate, practical steps needed to move forward.

While it may seem counterintuitive, it can be beneficial to both think and act in these two different ways. By thinking from a macro perspective, you can ensure that your actions are aligned with your long-term goals and values. At the same time, by acting from a micro perspective, you can stay focused on the practical steps needed to make progress and achieve your goals.

I struggle with this myself. I tend to theorize a lot and think about things when the most optimal thing to do is to just take action and start moving in the right direction. We tend to overthink and theorize about different scenarios and possibilities rather than just taking action.

We get in our heads too much. This can be a form of procrastination and can prevent people from making progress towards what they want to get done. It's important to strike a balance between thinking and taking action.

Another important point to understand is that motivation doesn't always come before action. Sometimes, taking action can be the best way to generate motivation and make progress towards your goals.

Waiting for motivation to strike before taking action can lead to procrastination and a lack of progress. Sometimes people may feel demotivated because they are not making progress, and this can create a vicious cycle where they feel demotivated, so they don't take action, and so they continue to feel demotivated. This is referred to as a negative feedback loop in the self-help world.

The idea "action precedes motivation" suggests that people are more likely to become motivated to do something if they take action towards it first, rather than waiting for motivation to strike before taking action.

The act of starting a task or taking the first step towards a goal can create momentum and generate motivation. When people take action, even small actions, it can lead to a sense of accomplishment and boost self-confidence which in turn can lead to feeling more motivated to continue taking action.

This is a better approach than just waiting around until you feel motivated because motivation won't always be there. You have to get your ass up and do what you said you would do.

When it comes to achieving long-term goals, macro thinking requires patience. This is because reaching big goals often requires a significant amount of time and effort. You need to be prepared to put in the work over an extended period and have the patience to see it through.

On the other hand, when it comes to taking action towards those goals, micro-action requires you to move quickly. This is because small, daily actions are what drive progress and make the big picture possible. By taking quick and consistent micro-actions, you can make steady progress towards your long-term ideals.

Many people tend to act in the opposite way of macro thinking and micro action. They often fall into the trap of taking big, bold actions, hoping that one big move will create lasting change.

On the other hand, many people also tend to overthink every little decision on a daily basis. This can lead to analysis paralysis, where they get stuck in their head, overthinking every decision and not taking action.

When people act macro by taking big actions without a clear long-term vision, they may miss the opportunity to make steady progress towards their goals. And when people think micro by overthinking every little decision, they may get stuck and not take action towards their goals. Both of these behaviours can lead to missed opportunities and regrets.

At the end of the day, thinking in a macro perspective and acting in a micro perspective are both important in realizing your dreams and aspirations. Don't be the person that gets discouraged when they don't see results after a month of action. Understand that patience is needed while you’re trying to accomplish a goal.

Also, don’t be the person that theorizes about every little detail to the point where no action is being taken. Work your ass off in the moment while keeping the end in mind and visualizing your future self. That is the way successful people manifest anything they want in their life.