You Can Just Do Things: Being High Agency
Most people probably don’t know I spent a stint as Chairman of North Macedonia Fund of Innovation and Technology Development in 2021 to 2024. I got to spend a bunch of time there and it was an interesting experience. I met lots of young smart kids. Most of them talked about just following academic paths, doing Master, PhD etc. I was like, “Hey you have the whole world. You can go to the EU. You can start a company. Move to a new job.”
But what was weird was despite their smartness, they all seemed like they were trapped or resigned to the limited opportunities in the region. This is exactly the problem with my experience with folks in Canada and UK/EU at large, everyone just seems to accept the situation. Actually worse than that, they accept it and also whine and complain about it.
This is why it’s so important to watch this great interview with George Mack on “High Agency” people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVl5FLRuGXI. People who think for themselves, who don’t wait for others and take action. People who happen to life, life does not happen to them. These literally are the people who move the world forward. The most accomplished and usually happiest too. This should be ALL of us. “You can just do things” as they say. Love this saying.
And to further dig into this, I went to Grok to see where “You can Just do Things” meant and came from.
“The phrase "you can just do things" has emerged as a motivational mantra, particularly in Silicon Valley and tech/entrepreneurial circles, gaining traction around 2023-2024. It encapsulates a mindset of taking action without overthinking barriers, often likened to Nike’s “Just Do It” but tailored to a tech-savvy, startup-driven audience.
Its exact origin is murky, but it’s closely associated with indie hacker Pieter Levels, who embodies this philosophy through his prolific solo software projects and public posts on X about building and launching ventures with minimal hesitation.”
Grok goes on to elaborate:
“The phrase "you can just do things" is a motivational call to action, emphasizing that you don’t need permission, extensive resources, or perfect conditions to start pursuing your goals. It encourages a mindset of initiative, experimentation, and resilience, particularly in creative, entrepreneurial, or personal endeavors.
Rooted in tech and startup culture, it suggests that barriers like fear of failure, lack of expertise, or societal norms are often less restrictive than they seem. Instead of overplanning or waiting for ideal circumstances, you can take immediate, practical steps toward your objectives.
Key ideas behind the phrase:
Action over hesitation: Start now, even with small or imperfect steps.
Empowerment: You have more agency than you might think to create, build, or change things.
Iterative progress: Doing something—anything—gets you closer to your goal through learning and refining.
Defying constraints: Many limitations (bureaucracy, credentials, funding) are navigable with creativity and persistence.
This is a good way to think about life. Do things with “minimal hesitation.” Overthinking is a curse for many smart and educated people. It’s also why they accomplish nothing. Grok does give some great tactical suggestions which I highlight below.
“To apply this mindset, follow these steps tailored to your goals, whether they’re entrepreneurial, creative, personal, or otherwise:
Identify a Goal or Idea:
Pinpoint something you want to achieve, like starting a side hustle, learning a skill, launching a project, or even making a lifestyle change.
Example: You want to create a simple mobile app or start a blog.
Break It Down to a First Action:
Find the smallest, most immediate step you can take without needing special resources or approval.
Example: For an app, sketch a basic idea or watch a free YouTube tutorial on coding. For a blog, write a single post or set up a free website on a platform like WordPress.
Start Immediately:
Take that first step today, even if it’s rough or small. The goal is momentum, not perfection.
Example: Spend 30 minutes researching or creating a rough draft. Pieter Levels often emphasizes starting with “day one” actions, like coding a basic feature.
Embrace Imperfection:
Accept that your first attempt might be flawed. The phrase encourages “shipping” (releasing or sharing) early to learn from real-world feedback.
Example: Publish your blog post even if it’s not polished, or share a prototype with a few friends for input.
Iterate Based on Feedback:
Use what you learn from your initial action to improve. Adjust, build, or pivot as needed.
Example: If your app gets user complaints about a feature, tweak it. If your blog post doesn’t resonate, try a different topic or style.
Overcome Mental Barriers:
When you feel stuck or doubt yourself, repeat “you can just do things” to counter excuses like “I’m not qualified” or “I need more time/money.”
Example: If you think you need a degree to start a business, research successful founders who didn’t have one, or test your idea with a low-cost experiment.
Leverage Available Tools:
Use free or low-cost resources to keep moving forward. Today’s tech landscape (e.g., no-code platforms, social media, AI tools) makes starting easier than ever.
Example: Use Bubble or Glide for app development without coding, or post about your project on X to find collaborators or feedback.
Build a Habit of Action:
Make “just doing things” a daily practice. Set small, achievable tasks to maintain momentum.
Example: Commit to one hour a day on your project, or post weekly updates on X to stay accountable.
Practical Examples
Entrepreneurial: Want to sell a product? Create a basic landing page with Carrd, list it on Gumroad, and share it on X to gauge interest—all in a day.
Creative: Dream of writing a novel? Write 200 words today, even if they’re messy, and share a snippet with a friend for feedback.
Personal: Want to get fit? Do a 10-minute YouTube workout now, no gym required, and schedule another for tomorrow.
Career: Interested in a new field? Take a free Coursera course or email someone in that industry for a quick chat, rather than waiting for a “perfect” entry point.
Tips for Success
Stay Curious: Treat failures as learning opportunities. Each step teaches you something.
Connect with Others: Share your progress on platforms like X to find support, advice, or collaborators. The phrase gained traction partly through such communities.
Set Micro-Goals: Big goals feel daunting, so focus on what you can do in the next hour or day.
Reflect Regularly: Periodically assess what’s working or not, as the 2024 Medium writer did when tying the phrase to their year-end project review.
Cautions
Balance Action with Planning: While the phrase pushes action, reckless moves (e.g., quitting a job without a plan) can backfire. Take calculated risks.
Avoid Burnout: Constant action without rest can lead to exhaustion. Pace yourself.
Context Matters: As seen in the 2025 Current Affairs article, the phrase can be co-opted for questionable causes (e.g., political extremism). Ensure your actions align with your values.
By internalizing “you can just do things,” you shift from waiting for permission to creating your own opportunities.”
Living is about being active, not passive. So Be ACTIVE. You literally can just do things.