January 27, 2026
Procrastinators, assemble—then actually do it
Doing the thing is doing the thing
Internet melts over 'Do the Thing' list: tough love or call-out?
TLDR: A viral list says only doing counts—planning and podcasts don’t, but failing does. Comments split between feeling called out (especially folks with ADHD), defending prep as essential, pointing to a similar earlier essay, and dropping gym memes—proof that action vs procrastination remains the internet’s favorite fight.
Today’s viral pep talk is a blunt checklist: thinking, planning, or buying gear isn’t “doing,” but failing counts—and it ends with “I should probably get back to work.” One top comment, from someone with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), sighed, “I feel personally attacked,” echoing readers who say this hustle-talk can feel like a call‑out. Another thread said it’s a remix of an earlier essay, pointing to this piece and an old HN debate, sparking a polite plagiarism‑vs‑inspiration scuffle.
On the flip side, practical folks clapped back: preparation is part of doing. One chef‑coded comment argued that mise‑en‑place—laying out your tools—actually speeds the work. Another fan favorite cheered the line “doing it badly,” saying rough first drafts are the only door to progress: start ugly, polish later. To them, motion is fine—so long as it leads to action right away today.
Then came the memes. A user dropped the gym line: “Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder…” and the thread racked up reps. Many chuckled at the post’s own irony—“writing a blog about doing the thing is not doing the thing”—while the “exploring full‑time and contract roles” notice had cynics wondering if the whole thing was also, well, doing networking.
Key Points
- •The article distinguishes between preparatory or peripheral activities and actual execution of a task.
- •Thinking, dreaming, visualizing, talking, explaining, arguing online, and announcing plans are stated as not “doing the thing.”
- •Consuming content (podcasts, tutorials, threads), planning perfect systems, buying tools, and reorganizing the workspace are also not considered doing the task.
- •Emotional or scheduling tactics such as feeling guilty, staying “busy,” and deferring to tomorrow are identified as non-action.
- •Failing, doing it badly or timidly, and accomplishing a small part are affirmed as genuine forms of doing the thing.