BookBabble #75: "The Art of Taking Action" by Gregg Krech

Lessons from Japanese psychology

As we all know, actually taking action is where it's at if we want to get things done. So there may be some irony in reading and talking about it, but if it helps us get going then that has to be a good thing.

Here we take a look at it from another angle and hope to find the art of getting that groove on. Mostly this book delves into some Eastern philosophies and strategies that when used in conjunction with other methods (or even on their own) can make our efforts that bit smoother.

Gregg Krech here leans on the principles of Japanese psychology, and discusses Naiken and Morito therapy in particular which is discussed more below.

It's all about acting in spite of our emotions and feelings rather than being driven by them. Let's see what he has to say...

Top Takes

Action over emotion

In Japanese psychology, action takes precedence over how we feel. We often wait for motivation or to feel 'ready' to act but true change comes from taking action in the face of uncertainty or discomfort. The focus here is on doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

Embrace discomfort

Any type of growth or accomplishment is going to require some discomfort, that's just the nature of the beast. Morita Therapy encourages acceptance of your internal states (anxiety, fear, procrastination etc), without letting those emotions dictate how you act. The point is, you don't need to resolve feelings before moving forward, you just need to get going and those feelings will hopefully fall into place!

Purposeful action

It's important to engage in actions that align with your values and purpose, rather than being driven by fleeting desires or distractions. That way, you're focusing on actions that are meaningful which brings a sense of fulfillment rather than a means to an end.

Source

Naikan reflection

We're also introduced to Naikan, a form of Japanese introspection that encourages gratitude and self-reflection by asking three key questions:

What have I received from others?
What have I given to others?
What troubles or difficulties have I caused others?

This practice helps cultivate gratitude and responsibility, providing motivation for future action.

Dive into those and see what comes up! It may help give some clarity and guidance.

Small, consistent steps

Rather than waiting for grand, dramatic moments of change, Krech advocates for taking small, consistent steps toward your goals. These incremental actions build momentum and eventually lead to significant progress.

See also Atomic Habits, The Slight Edge and The 1% Rule as well as the concept of Kaizen.

Acceptance of life’s uncertainty

The book encourages accepting the unpredictability of life and understanding that no amount of planning can remove all uncertainty. It’s crucial to act even when the future is unclear.

Focus on the present

The importance of mindfulness and being fully engaged in the present moment. Focusing too much on the past or future can lead to inaction or anxiety, so the best approach is to concentrate on what can be done now.

Easier said than done of course, and very obvious, but we need to find ways to cultivate present moment awareness and enjoyment. It's necessary to look forward and plan (and back and learn occasionally) but not to the excess we're used to.

Overcoming procrastination

Procrastination is addressed not as a failure of willpower, but as a result of emotional discomfort. The solution is to act despite emotional resistance and stop waiting for the so-called 'perfect' moment.

Brian Johnson on YouTube with his PNTV review:

Thanks Gregg! Anything else?

A good book overall and always great to get another angles and some tips and methods we may not have been aware of.

Japanese and Eastern philosophies offer an 'alternative' view to a lot of what we've been taught in the west, so any way we can combine the best of all is where we can make great strides, get things done, and live in peace.

There were sections that were excellent and others so-so. Much is like a collection of shorter pieces put together including contributions from others. This isn't a bad thing per se but a little disjointed for me knowing how and why it fits together.

That said, along with all the more obvious stuff we hear time and time again, we are introduced to various Japanese wisdom, psychology and techniques which could well be a revelation for some.

Elements and cross-over of Stoicism principles, as well an 'east meets west' kind of fusion. Getting that balance of contemplation vs getting things done.

I wrote a chapter on action in one of my books so you can check that out too.

All in all, action is where it's at and cultivating a bit more where we can has to be a winner, and this book is another angle on doing just that!