Just Do Something, Anything. The Do Something Principle

You ever sit in your car outside the gym, scrolling your phone, telling yourself you’re “just getting in the zone” before walking in?

Or stare at your workout clothes on the floor, thinking you should change—but you’re waiting for the motivation to show up?

That feeling rarely comes on its own. And when it does, it’s fleeting. The secret isn’t waiting. The secret is doing.

Mark Manson calls it the Do Something Principle. It’s simple, but powerful:

Most people believe inspiration leads to motivation, which leads to action. But it actually works in reverse:

Action → Inspiration → Motivation

Take any small action, and it creates a sense of movement. That movement sparks a little energy, a little inspiration. That energy becomes motivation. And suddenly, you’re no longer stuck—you’re moving forward. And that motivation lead to more action and the cycle strengthens.

Manson originally used this idea for writing—when he didn’t feel like writing, he’d just start typing. A few sentences in, he’d get into the flow.

The principle works the same in health and fitness.

Let’s say you don’t feel like working out. Fine. Put on your shoes and walk outside. That’s it. Just that. Your brain gets a signal: “I’m doing the thing.” From there, maybe you walk a few blocks. Maybe you jog a little. Maybe you realize you’re already out, so you go back in and knock out a 20-minute lift. Or maybe you still don’t train that day—but you took a step, and that matters. It lowers the barrier for tomorrow.

Not sure where to start with strength training? Try 15 minutes of push-ups and bodyweight squats. That’s your workout. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long perfect session with warm-ups and cooldowns and mobility circuits. It just has to happen. Then next time, you build on it.

Same thing with nutrition. You don’t need to overhaul your whole diet overnight. If you normally skip breakfast and eat fast food at lunch, your action might be prepping one protein-rich meal for the next day. That’s it. Or maybe it’s drinking 80 oz of water instead of 20. Or buying fruit instead of chips on your next grocery run.

Start slow, give yourself grace, do not try to do too much, but you have to start doing.

This was exactly how I got into coaching.

I knew I loved working out, writing programs, and digging into the science of performance and health. But I kept telling myself:

“Just wait until you’re a chiropractor. Then you can use this.”

“You have no idea how to start an online business.”

“You don’t have time for clients, certifications, and chiro school.”

It was all fear. I was waiting for motivation, and it never came.

One day, I just said screw it—I got certified and started taking steps. Now I’m building this newsletter, coaching others, and growing something real. All because of one small decision to act instead of wait.

If you feel stuck, it doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unmotivated. It just means you’re caught in a loop.

You wait to feel inspired → do nothing → feel guilty or frustrated → still wait. It’s a cycle.

And yes, you can occasionally borrow energy from others—a podcast, a conversation, a trainer hyping you up. But that spark fades. The kind of motivation that sticks is the kind you generate by doing something, consistently, until it becomes who you are.

This week, don’t try to overhaul your life. Pick one thing, and just start. Then let momentum do the rest.

Stay Healthy,

Thomas Stevens

If you are interested in coaching and taking that first step towards investing in yourself and your health, head to the homepage and fill out the short form and I'll be in touch.