The Science of Taking Action | Steve Garguilo | TEDxCarthage

Summary

In this engaging narrative, the speaker shares their profound love for Post-it notes, which led them to invest in 3M. They recount a spontaneous 'free problem-solving' stand at South by Southwest, which unexpectedly gained popularity, sparking discussions and solutions for various issues. The speaker delves into the science of action, emphasizing the importance of taking immediate steps towards ideas rather than merely collecting them. Through personal anecdotes and the concept of 'action muscles,' they encourage the audience to act on their ideas, illustrating how immediate action can lead to significant outcomes.

Takeaways

• 📌 The speaker has a deep affection for Post-it notes, even investing in 3M to support them.
• 🎨 Post-it notes are versatile and can be used for various purposes, from decoration to problem-solving and even cheese-making.
• 🎉 An impromptu 'free problem-solving' stand using large Post-it notes at a festival turned into a popular event, attracting a crowd and media attention.
• 💡 The experience at the festival inspired the speaker to explore the science of action and why some people take action while others don't.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Taking action is like a muscle that can be developed through practice, becoming more natural over time.
• 🚀 Passion for an idea is crucial, but immediate action is necessary to avoid the trap of waiting for the 'perfect moment'.
• 🤔 It's often easier to generate actions for others' ideas than our own, highlighting the importance of seeking external feedback.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of committing to action, using the example of booking a summer camp on a whim.
• 🛠️ 'Action storming' is a technique for generating actions for ideas, which can lead to tangible steps and progress.
• 💐 A real-life example of action taking is the story of Kristy, who went from sharing a dream of owning a flower shop to actually opening one in Fargo, North Dakota.
• 🛤️ The overarching message is that taking the first step is crucial, as every hard thing in life is a series of easy steps.

Q & A

What is the speaker's relationship with Post-it notes?

The speaker has a deep affection for Post-it notes, to the extent that they bought stock in 3M to support the product.

What did the speaker do with the large Post-it notes they received at South by Southwest?

The speaker and a friend set up a 'free problem-solving stand' using the large Post-it notes, offering to solve various problems for passersby.

How did the speaker's 'free problem-solving stand' evolve?

Initially, it started as a joke, but it quickly gained popularity, with people lining up to have their problems solved and even tweeting about it.

What unexpected business opportunity arose from the 'free problem-solving stand'?

A representative from Goodwill approached the stand for advice on growing their brand, leading to a discussion about various strategies for expansion.

What was the speaker's realization about the difference between collecting ideas and taking action on them?

The speaker noticed that people were more interested in collecting ideas rather than acting on them, which led to the study of the science of action.

What is the first lesson the speaker learned about taking action?

The first lesson is that action is a muscle that can be exercised and strengthened, similar to playing a musical instrument.

Can you provide an example of someone with 'huge action muscles' as mentioned in the script?

The example given is a man who, upon not finding a pink flamingo pool raft, contacted a manufacturer in China to create one, leading to a successful business.

What is the second lesson about taking action that the speaker discusses?

The second lesson is the importance of committing to taking action immediately on ideas that are important to us, rather than waiting for the perfect moment.

How did the speaker and their friend Matt demonstrate the lesson of immediate action?

Matt expressed a desire to take over a summer camp, and the speaker encouraged him to book one immediately, which he did.

What is the third lesson about taking action that the speaker shares?

The third lesson is that it's easier to come up with actions for other people's ideas than our own, emphasizing the importance of seeking feedback from others.

Can you explain the concept of 'action storming' as introduced in the script?

Action storming is a process of generating actions for other people's ideas, which can help individuals take concrete steps towards realizing their own ideas.

What was the outcome for Kristy, who wanted to start a flower shop, after participating in 'action storming'?

After action storming, Kristy took specific actions towards her idea, which led her to quit her job and start her own flower shop called Love Always Floral in Fargo, North Dakota.

What is the overarching message the speaker is trying to convey about ideas and action?

The speaker emphasizes that taking the first step and committing to action is crucial, regardless of the idea's scale, as everything hard in life is a series of things that are easy once you start.

Outlines

00:00

📝 The Power of Post-it Notes and Action

This paragraph tells the story of the speaker's deep affection for Post-it notes, to the extent that they invested in 3M, the company that produces them. The narrative unfolds with anecdotes about the diverse uses of Post-it notes, from office decoration to sunscreen and even cheese. A pivotal moment occurs during South by Southwest, where the speaker and a friend spontaneously set up a 'free problem-solving' stand using large Post-it notes, attracting a crowd and leading to an impromptu brainstorming session. This experience sparked a reflection on the tendency to collect ideas without acting on them, prompting the speaker to delve into the science of action and the importance of taking immediate steps towards realizing ideas.

05:02

🏋️‍♂️ Cultivating the Action Muscle and Committing to Ideas

The second paragraph delves into the concept of action as a muscle that can be strengthened with practice. It uses the analogy of learning a musical instrument to illustrate how action can become second nature. The speaker shares the story of an individual who quickly turned a fleeting idea for a pink flamingo pool raft into a successful business, demonstrating the power of immediate action. The paragraph emphasizes the need to act on ideas immediately rather than waiting for the perfect moment, as illustrated by the speaker's friend who booked a summer camp on the spot. Lastly, it discusses the ease of generating actions for others' ideas compared to our own, advocating for seeking external feedback to propel personal initiatives forward, as exemplified by a story of a woman who turned her dream of owning a flower shop into reality through immediate action and support from others.

Keywords

💡Post-it Notes

Post-it Notes are small pieces of paper with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, allowing them to be easily attached and removed from surfaces without leaving residue. In the video, the speaker expresses a deep affection for these notes, using them as a metaphor for creativity and action. The speaker's love for Post-it Notes is so profound that they even bought stock in 3M, the company that produces them, to support the product.

💡South by Southwest (SXSW)

South by Southwest is a prominent annual conference and festival that celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries in Austin, Texas. In the script, the speaker recounts an experience at SXSW where they were inspired by the large Post-it Notes provided by 3M, which led to a spontaneous 'free problem-solving' stand, highlighting the event's role in fostering creative and entrepreneurial ideas.

💡Problem-Solving

Problem-solving refers to the process of identifying, analyzing, and addressing issues or difficulties to find a solution. The video's narrative centers around the speaker's impromptu 'free problem-solving' stand, which became unexpectedly popular. This demonstrates the theme of taking action on ideas and the power of spontaneous problem-solving in engaging a community.

💡Bias Towards Action

A bias towards action is the inclination to take initiative and make decisions rather than waiting for the perfect moment or conditions. The speaker emphasizes this concept as a key takeaway from their experiences, suggesting that taking action, even without a clear plan, can lead to positive outcomes, as seen with the 'free problem-solving' stand.

💡Idea Generation

Idea generation is the process of creating, developing, and producing new ideas or concepts. The speaker reflects on their past as an 'idea magnet,' always surrounded by people and Post-it Notes in brainstorming sessions. However, the video's message questions the effectiveness of idea generation without the subsequent action to implement those ideas.

💡Action-Oriented

Being action-oriented means having a tendency to take initiative and act on one's ideas or plans. The speaker contrasts this with simply generating ideas without follow-through. They explore the science of action, examining what motivates people to act and what holds them back, ultimately advocating for a more action-oriented approach to idea implementation.

💡Action Muscle

The concept of an 'action muscle' metaphorically refers to the ability to take action, which can be strengthened with practice, similar to how a physical muscle grows stronger with exercise. The speaker uses this term to illustrate that the more one practices taking action, the more natural and effortless it becomes, as exemplified by the story of the man who created pink flamingo pool rafts.

💡Commitment to Action

Commitment to action involves making a conscious decision to act on an idea or plan immediately rather than procrastinating. The speaker shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the importance of taking action right away, as opposed to waiting for the 'perfect' time, which often never comes.

💡Action Storming

Action storming is a process where a group generates a multitude of actions for ideas, typically focusing on those of others to overcome the mental barriers that come with acting on one's own ideas. In the video, this method is used at the 'Action Camp' to help a participant realize the feasibility of her dream to open a flower shop.

💡TEDx Organizer

A TEDx organizer is someone who plans and executes TEDx events, which are local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. The speaker mentions their role as a TEDx organizer to illustrate their involvement in idea-sharing communities and to highlight the common occurrence of idea generation without action.

💡Love Always Floral

Love Always Floral is a flower shop in Fargo, North Dakota, started by a woman who took action on her idea during the 'Action Camp' event. It serves as a concrete example in the video of how taking action on an idea can lead to tangible results and the realization of dreams.

Highlights

The speaker's love for Post-it notes and buying stock in 3M to support them.

The various creative uses of Post-it notes beyond just note-taking.

The impromptu 'free problem-solving' stand set up with large Post-it notes at a bar.

People from the street engaging with the problem-solving stand and getting ideas for their issues.

The unexpected virality of the problem-solving stand on social media.

The Goodwill representative seeking advice on growing the brand and receiving multiple actionable ideas.

The realization that people often collect ideas but struggle to take action on them.

The speaker's journey to understand the science of action and what drives people to take action.

The concept of 'action muscles' and how they can be developed through practice.

The story of the man who created a successful business selling pink flamingo pool rafts by taking immediate action.

The importance of committing to taking action right away rather than waiting for the perfect moment.

The idea that taking action on someone else's idea is often easier than on our own.

The 'Action Camp' organized to foster an environment for taking action on ideas.

The story of Kristy, who took action on her idea for a flower shop and made it a reality.

The process of 'action storming' to generate actionable steps for ideas.

The message that taking the first step is crucial, no matter how big or small the idea.

The encouragement to take responsibility for turning ideas into reality through action.

Transcripts

[Music]

Oh shadow lay Post eat

I love post-it notes I love post-it

notes so much that if I had one right

now I would say voulez-vous coucher avec

moi

I love post-it notes so much that I

bought stock in 3m just to support

post-it notes and it turns out they have

a lot of interesting uses so you can use

them to decorate your office you can use

them for sunscreen you can use them for

the most awesome winter is coming Game

of Thrones party you could use them to

teach someone a lesson new parks in a

handicapped space they shouldn't have

parked in and apparently you can even

use them for cheese so a few years ago I

was at South by Southwest in Austin

Texas in the United States the

interactive film and music festival and

3m was there and they were giving out

these massive post-it notes these ones

are bigger than the size of a human head

and I had never seen these before so I

was really excited so I took a lot of

them like a lot and I'm with a friend

and we're carrying them trying to figure

out what we're going to do with them and

we walk over to a bar and we sit down

and we find a great spot that's looking

outside on this beautiful day we're just

sitting outside watching people as they

go across and we're thinking like what

do we want to do with these post-it

notes and almost as a joke we just

scribbled on one of them free

problem-solving hashtag zero problems

put the post-it note out on the table

and then as people are walking down the

street we're just yelling at them hey do

you need any problem solves free problem

solving business life horseback riding

welding you name it we'll solve your

problem and so this is us at our free

problem-solving stand and at first is

like a guy who's like asking a question

about his shirt and then this girl asks

a question about her relationship but

then this is person I'll never forget

this girl in this pink shirt she's like

can I solve problems with you and we're

like sure

so she's solving problems with us then

all of a sudden all these people are

tweeting about us I peer out there's

like actually a big line now of people

to get their problems solved we have an

intern who's like getting us pizza and

directing traffic out

then this woman from Goodwill so

goodwill is a as a secondhand clothing

franchise in the u.s. she's like how can

we grow our brand and I'm like how can

you not grow your brand you have like

300 stores at one store triple your

prices at once they offer gift wrapping

at one store off for recycling services

at wants to offer co-working space and

she's furiously scribbling down all

these notes she's like can you come do

like a workshop with us to help us get

more ideas I'm like I just gave you ten

ideas go do those and then maybe we can

do a workshop and I remember thinking

how crazy it was that people seemed to

be much more interested in collecting

ideas than actually doing anything with

them

and so we're doing this for a few hours

and we decide to leave and then this

crazy thing of like we actually walked

back two hours later and the

problem-solving stand was still going on

with other people and just just kind of

crazy so that afternoon we could have

done anything we wanted with those

post-it notes or we could have just sat

there and done nothing at all but we

exercised this bias towards action to

say just hey let's just try something

and see what happens and it ended up

being this pretty cool result so up

until that point in my life I was kind

of this idea magnet I was always talking

to people about ideas generating ideas

also a TEDx organizer so we bring people

together to talk about ideas and I would

find myself in a lot of rooms like this

right filled with people with big smiles

and lots of post-it notes and as someone

who loves post-it notes you would think

I would be happy about this but I

started to reflect on it and thought you

know how many times have I been in one

of these rooms filled with post-it notes

and then a week later like thinking what

the heck ever happened to any of this

stuff and so I started to study the

science of action and what really either

sparks people to act or holds people

back from acting and what we found is

that most people for most ideas either

don't do anything with it or will slowly

make a little bit of progress over time

but people who are incredibly

action-oriented they take these massive

surges of action right away where they

take a massive amount of action right

away and surge forward on an idea so I

wanted to study this a little bit more

and started looking at all kinds of

stories I mean if you look at my browser

history you'll find a lot of weird stuff

there everything from a guy who got a

job from a snapchat filter to someone

who made this Spanish Bible app to

someone who made a restaurant in China

out of an old 737 jet all kinds of stuff

but I want to share with you three of

the primary lessons that we learned in

doing this research so one action is a

muscle so much like some people exercise

their biceps right not me but some

people you can exercise these action

muscles so think of it like playing a

musical instrument who here plays a

musical instrument so the first time if

you were to sit down and try piano for

the first time right it takes a lot of

energy and a lot of focus to think about

what notes you're playing and make sure

you're playing the right notes but the

more you practice it and the more you

get used to it it becomes this muscle

memory right where you don't have to

think about it it's the same thing with

action I'll give you an example of a guy

who has huge action muscles like huge

believe me so it's a guy he's at this

pool party right and at this pool party

there's a bunch of these white dove pool

rafts and he's like oh this is really

cool he's like I wonder if there's a

pink flamingo version of these and so he

googles it and it doesn't exist and for

most people they would just kind of let

it be there but he decides you know what

I'm just going to Google China

manufacturer get on the phone with

somebody like hey China can you design

this like pink flamingo raft I want it

to be this big whatever blah blah blah

six weeks later this thing shows up at

his house he has a pool party with it

everyone falls in love with this thing

and he launches giant flamingo calm

where he's made absurd amounts of money

selling these pink flamingo rafts

because he just exercises that muscle so

much that it was it was natural for him

to do that so first is it action as a

muscle the second thing is that it tends

to be when we have an idea we're really

passionate about an idea that we think

can be great we always say like oh I

want to set aside time later to sort

that out right like oh I'm going to set

aside time when the sun is shining and

I'd the right energy and Shalala where

I'm going to be able to make this happen

right but what happens

[Applause]

what happens is a week passes a month

passes inshallah inshallah and we don't

actually take action on our ideas and so

we need to commit to taking action right

away on things so sitting with my friend

Matt the one from the free

problem-solving stand about a year later

and he is saying to me you know someday

I want to take over like a summer camp

and do some kind of adult summer camp

and I just said to him okay get out your

phone google summer camp pick one and

reserve it and within minutes we had

booked a camp and it sounds simple

because it is but we do this to

ourselves all the time right when we

make it some bigger thing than it is and

we wait versus just taking action right

away so we ended up having this cool

camp okay third thing is that it's

actually when we have an idea our selves

it's actually really hard to come up

with actions for our own ideas but when

it's somebody else's idea it's really

easy to be like you could do this you

could do this you could do this right

like think back to that goodwill woman

of all the different things uh and so

the key is setting yourself up to make

sure that you're getting that feedback

from others so a good example of that

was actually at the camp that we ended

up organizing we decided to call it

action camp and we brought together a

bunch of really cool people to learn

from each other have fun and take action

on an idea and so one of our friends at

camp her name is Kristy she had a great

job at a great company but in that

environment she decided to share like

yeah maybe someday like long into the

future I want to start a flower shop and

that's something that I might want to do

and so we did this process which we call

action storming which is generating

actions for other people's ideas and

through that action storming process

came up for with some very specific

items for her like think about what

venues currently are reserving weddings

or document for the next 30 days events

that could be enhanced with flowers

whatever they are and she decided that

over the next month she would start

taking action on some of these things

and as she did that she was realizing

like wow maybe this flower shop doesn't

have to be something in you know such a

far distant future

within a few months she actually had

quit her job and started this flower

shop if you ever find yourself in Fargo

North Dakota you can check out this

flower shop it's called love always

floral it's beautiful place but the

point of all those is that everything in

life that's hard is just a series of

things that are easy you just have to

take that first step right and your idea

could be the next Nobel Prize or it

could be the next pool toy but the point

is taking that responsibility for

yourself and committing to yourself to

say I'm going to take action and I'm

going to make it happen

messy

[Applause]

[Music]

you