Close The Gap and Take Action

Hi, it's Jacob here! 

Today a topic that I've been struggling with for the longest.

It's going to be a short piece, yet of importance like no other.

I think this way at least.

Here it comes... because tbh

I had no idea what this title meant when I first wrote it.

It was October, and I thought I was on the verge of discovering the most powerful concept I’d ever share. Like the Holy Grail that Indiana Jones was after—but for the self-improvement journey.

Funny how writing brings back memories, the same way acting does. Both require deliberate action toward something uncertain.

Imagine this: every day, we work toward a goal. It might not be clearly defined yet, but doesn’t that still count for something? Even if we’re unsure, we keep going, trusting that clarity will come when it’s needed.

We’re all on a path toward achieving our goals, even if we haven’t fully specified them yet. And I think I know what this newsletter is going to be about. It all comes back to one thing: finding yourself—through action.

Don’t Overthink It

Have you ever been stuck in a loop of thoughts?

It goes something like this: “I’ll do this first, then after that, I’ll do this...” And before you know it, you’re caught in a cycle, paralyzed by the endless options.

Here’s the thing: the key to closing the gap between thought and action is to move faster than your mind can argue with itself. It’s about getting things done before your logical side has a chance to overthink.

For example: you want to sign up for the gym?

Step 1: Open your phone.

Step 2: Go to the website.

Step 3: Buy the membership.

No second-guessing, no distractions. Just action.

It’ll take less than a minute—especially if your hands move as fast as mine. 👐 Fast typing is a skill I’m proud of, and it feels good to check things off quickly.

Imagine if there was no gap between your thoughts and actions. How do you feel after? Accomplished? Successful? Proud of taking control of your life? Living in a way where you actually follow through on what you set out to do—it’s an incredible feeling. Gives you shivers, doesn’t it?

Live gets a bit confusing when you start adding and adding tasks to your plate without executing the previous ones. 

Be mindful of your own doing and what your brain tells you, that is beneficial to your growth. Trust the feeling in your gut of an impulse of actually doing instead of always figuring it out and planning overwhelming yourself excessively.

The 5-Second Rule

Mel Robbins wrote a book about it. It was the first self-growth book I ever read, and it’s still one of the most reliable pieces of advice I’ve come across. The rule is simple: when you have an instinct to act on a goal, you’ve got five seconds before your brain talks you out of it.

So, act. Do it quickly. You don’t have any more time than anyone else, but the difference is that you’ll use it.

• Meet new people.
• Say hello and start that conversation.
• Go on that trip you’ve been putting off.
• Don’t keep giving rain checks to your own life.

This rule applies to everything—even to the sandwich you dropped on the floor (just don’t let anyone see that part 😉). The point is, don’t hesitate. Act.

Build Momentum

Strength comes from within, but it builds over time. It’s not about setting massive goals and shouting them from the rooftops—only to fall short and feel discouraged.

Start small. Set goals you can accomplish, and bit by bit, those wins add up. Honesty with yourself is key. Take action on things within your power and watch how momentum builds. Close that gap between thought and action.

It’s simple: you either take control of your life, or you let things drift.

Thank you for reading! I’m excited to hear how you apply these ideas. It’s been a journey for me, but I know you can manage it, too. Reach out and let me know how it goes! Send me a message on Instagram @jakubsznajder_.

Peace, brothers and sisters.

Here’s to living a life of action.