On the journey of life, we often encounter moments like this: we clearly know what to do and the right direction, yet we hesitate to take action due to various concerns and doubts. A recent experience made me deeply realize that the power of action is far greater than we imagine.
An Unexpected Gain After Half a Year of Unemployment
I’ve been unemployed for over half a year, and it’s hard to say I wasn’t anxious. During this time, I didn’t make any big moves, nor did I find a suitable job. But recently, encouraged by a good friend, I mustered the courage to post a few promotional messages on social media for a Todo app I developed.
The result completely surprised me.
From a Hundred Downloads to Thousands of Users
This Todo app of mine had been running quietly for over a year, with downloads hovering around a hundred. But after just a few social media promotions, downloads skyrocketed to thousands, and now many new users download and use it every day.
This outcome made me reflect deeply: I had long known that promoting on social media could be effective, yet I never took action, missing out on so many opportunities.
OurTodo: From Personal Need to a User-Loved Product
The Original Intention: Solving a Small Problem in Life
Initially, I developed OurTodo purely to learn iOS development and gain hands-on experience. I noticed a pain point in my daily life:
- I wanted to share grocery shopping lists with my family.
- When camping with friends, we needed to prepare items together, and a shared list would be very convenient.
This simple idea motivated me to start the project.
User Feedback-Driven Product Evolution
📱 Download OurTodo Now - Get It on the App Store
As the number of users grew, I received more and more feedback and suggestions. Every user’s voice drove the product’s improvement and feature refinement. Looking back now, OurTodo has become the most downloaded among the apps I’ve developed, with an active user base forming a positive feedback loop.
A Small Seed Planted Five Years Ago
Unexpected Gains from a Forgotten Mini-Program
Here’s another interesting story. About five years ago, I developed a mini-program. After completing it, I largely left it untouched, only creating a simple single-page website for it.
Earlier this year, I was planning to shut down the project and posted about my development experience on social media. Unexpectedly, this small seed planted five years ago bore fruit today, bringing in a surprising little income.
The Cost and启示 of Procrastination
The Root Causes of Lack of Execution
Reflecting on these experiences, I realized the root of the problem lies in:
- Lack of execution: Knowing what to do but failing to act.
- Overthinking: Thinking too much and doing too little.
- Lack of confidence: Fear of failure and rejection.
- Perfectionism: Always waiting for the perfect moment to act.
The Compound Effect of Action
This experience made me deeply understand the compound effect of action:
- Immediate feedback: Action provides immediate feedback, allowing us to adjust quickly.
- Building momentum: Every small action accumulates momentum for the future.
- Unexpected gains: Action often brings surprises beyond expectations.
- Building confidence: Successful actions strengthen our confidence to move forward.
Just Do It: Shifting from Idea to Action
Changing Your Mindset
Now I understand that instead of spending too much time perfecting plans, it’s better to start taking action. Action itself is the best teacher, showing us what works and what doesn’t.
Advice for Your Future Self
To everyone with ideas who is still hesitating, I want to say:
- Don’t wait for the perfect moment—now is the best time.
- Don’t fear failure—it’s a stepping stone to success.
- Trust your judgment and take the first brave step.
- Remember: If you have an idea, just do it. Even if there are no immediate results, it might bear fruit in the future.
Conclusion: Action Changes Everything
Looking back on this experience, my biggest takeaway is: Sometimes, overthinking is far less effective than taking direct action.
Every action is an investment in your future self, and every attempt could open a new door. Whether it’s promoting an app or sharing experiences, action always brings unexpected rewards.
So, if you have an idea brewing in your mind, if you’re hesitating whether to start, my advice is simple:
Just Do It!