How many hours have you spent creating the "perfect" plan?
You've got flowcharts, spreadsheets, and a to-do list that could rival a space mission's launch sequence. But at the end of the day, you haven't actually done much. This is "analysis paralysis," and it's the enemy of progress.
Wallace D. Wattles had the antidote back in 1910: Efficient Action.
This powerful idea from his book, The Science of Getting Rich, is a radical call to stop overthinking and start doing. It's one of the most practical principles for wealth creation, and it can change your life starting today.
(Efficient Action is a key part of a larger system. To see how it fits into the big picture, read our The Science of Getting Rich Explained: A Complete Guide).
What is Efficient Action (and What Isn't It)?
Let's get one thing straight: Efficient Action is NOT about being busy. It's about being effective.
Busy Action: Answering emails for two hours, endlessly tweaking your website design, planning your social media posts for next month. It feels productive, but it doesn't move the needle.
Efficient Action: Making that one important sales call, writing that one chapter of your book, completing the most critical task on your project list. It's doing what matters, now.
Wattles puts it beautifully: "Do all that you can do in a certain day, and do each act in an efficient manner."
The Three Rules of Efficient Action
So how do you practice this? It comes down to three simple rules.
Rule 1: Focus Only on Today
This is the golden rule. Don't worry about tomorrow's tasks. Don't dwell on yesterday's mistakes. Your power is in the present moment. Your only job is to make today a success.
If you make every single day a success, your future success is guaranteed. It's simple math!
How to do it: At the start of your day, ask yourself: "What can I do today to move closer to my vision?" Then, focus all your energy on executing those tasks with excellence.
Rule 2: Do Each Act in a Successful Manner
This is about bringing your full presence and power to every single task, no matter how small.
When you're writing an email, write a successful email. When you're talking to a customer, have a successful conversation. When you're sweeping the floor, sweep it successfully.
This doesn't mean every action will lead to a million dollars. It means you perform the act itself with confidence, focus, and the intention of success. You are imprinting your vision onto every action you take.
Rule 3: Act Now, With Your Current Resources
Don't wait for the "perfect" time or for more resources to fall into your lap. Act now, from where you are, with what you have.
Want to start a business but don't have funding? Start by creating a business plan or reaching out to one potential client.
Want to write a book but don't have a publisher? Start by writing the first page.
Action creates momentum. The universe can't help a stationary object. By acting with what you have, you open the door for more resources and opportunities to find you.
Your Challenge: One Day of Efficient Action
Forget the five-year plans for a moment. I challenge you to live just one day by these rules.
Decide what needs to be done today.
Do each task with your full attention and the mindset of success.
Act immediately, without waiting for perfect conditions.
You'll end the day not just having checked off a list, but feeling powerful, accomplished, and truly in control of your destiny. That is the feeling that gets you rich.
