Summary of Key Points
In response to the confusion and anxiety stemming from the feeling of “wanting to do well but not knowing how to achieve it,” this article proposes a simple and practical “Minimalist Action System”: first, focus on small actions within your control (create a ‘Doable List’), and second, rule out obviously wrong options (create a ‘Don’t Do List’). By following these two steps, you can gradually reduce uncertainty and move closer to the life you desire. This approach avoids the extremes of “lying flat” or “randomly trying everything.” It is supported by philosophy (Stoicism) and science (Bayesian updating, information theory), making it easily applicable to ordinary people.
1. Why do we tend to fall into the trap of “lying flat or randomly trying everything”?
When confused, many people go to two extremes: either giving up on effort entirely and deciding to “lie flat,” or rushing to find a “perfect direction” and trying various things haphazardly (such as following trends in entrepreneurship or enrolling in useless courses). Both situations stem from the desire to immediately find a “definite answer.” However, the future is inherently uncertain, and it’s impossible to know what is absolutely correct all at once. “Lying flat” eliminates all possibilities, while “random attempts” waste time and energy on the wrong paths. Therefore, a middle ground is needed: one that doesn’t aim for perfection but rather uses small actions to gradually move towards goals.
2. The Doable List: Start with small, achievable tasks to build certainty
The “Doable List” isn’t about setting grand objectives (like “earning 1 million this year”) but about listing things you can control and do right now—such as drinking a glass of water, organizing your desk, or sending a message to a friend. These may seem trivial, but they serve two important purposes:
- Gain real feedback: For example, if you find that you can concentrate for 10 minutes after reading a page of a book, it indicates that you have the ability to study persistently;
- Narrow down your choices: After completing a task, your next direction becomes clearer (for instance, after reading a financial book, you might want to read the next chapter or look up related information). This is like taking steps while navigating a path; each step helps you understand where to go next and gradually builds your understanding of yourself and the world.
3. The Don’t Do List: Use common sense to eliminate obvious mistakes and avoid detours
The “Don’t Do List” includes actions that are clearly wasteful or problematic based on common sense—such as believing in get-rich-quick scams, staying up late watching videos, befriending people who constantly criticize you, or investing in a business without doing research. You don’t need to wait for the results to realize these are mistakes; you can cross them out immediately.
Why is it important to eliminate wrong options? From an information theory perspective, “uncertainty” (entropy) is determined by the number of possibilities. Eliminating one wrong option reduces that uncertainty. Moreover, it’s much easier to rule out errors than to make correct choices (which often require predicting the future, like guessing which industry will thrive).
4. The logic behind why these two steps can help you achieve your goals
The core of this system is “gradually approaching certainty.” The future is uncertain, but with each small decision, you increase the likelihood of making the right choices:
- Focusing on controllable actions aligns with Bayesian updating—the more you act, the more information you gain, refining your understanding and making subsequent decisions more precise;
- Eliminating errors follows the principle of entropy reduction—by ruling out wrong options, you decrease uncertainty and get closer to the right path. For example, if you want to change careers, start by reading articles about your target industry and avoid making hasty decisions (like quitting your job without a plan).
5. How to start implementing this system today?
You can begin right now:
- Create a Doable List: Write down three things you can do immediately (e.g., organize your phone album, do 10 push-ups, call your family), and choose one to act on;
- Create a Don’t Do List: Write down three things you clearly shouldn’t do (e.g., watch videos for more than an hour, eat junk food, argue with colleagues over trivial matters), and avoid them today;
- Keep at it: Repeat these steps every day. Over time, you’ll find that these small choices will make your life clearer and reduce your anxiety.
The essence of this method is: don’t wait for the “perfect moment”; use small actions to combat confusion and trust the power of time.
In conclusion, life isn’t a test of finding the “correct answer” but a journey of gradually moving towards your goals. Start today by taking a small action and avoiding one mistake; you’ll be one step closer to the life you desire.