How to Stop Overconsuming Content and Start Changing Your Life

Read time: 4.5 minutes

There are so many books, videos, and podcasts out there telling you how to think differently and get your life together.

Want to reframe your life experiences? Know your purpose and place in the world? Figure out what you truly value? Change your habits and outlook on life? Remove clutter and distractions? Feeling behind and want to get ahead?

There’s a stack of books or a playlist for all those things.

(I even have a playlist of my own.)

And sure, most of them can be helpful, but often they just tell you what you already know. The problem isn’t a lack of information or not knowing what to do—it’s the constant cycle of consumption without actually doing it.

So maybe we should spend more time practicing doing, instead of reading about it or searching for motivation in yet another video.

Why We Love Consuming Self-Improvement

I started consuming self-improvement topics in my early 20s because I found it fun to improve myself and work at it consistently. You know, working to achieve something I never thought possible, realizing my goals and core values, changing bad habits, and reinventing myself.

Regardless of the topic, the experience of learning something new or finding the solution felt satisfying. And maybe you can relate.

We’re all looking for ways to improve, grow, and make meaningful changes in our lives. And consuming content gives us a sense of control over that.

We feel like just because we’re consuming it, our lives are changing.

But here’s the catch: this cycle of consuming can quickly become a trap. We end up spending all our time learning without ever actually applying the knowledge.

We stay busy, but we don’t get anywhere. Why? Here are four reasons:

1. We’re in love only with the idea of improving ourselves instead of doing the hard work required to make change.
2. We’re procrastinating because it’s easier to put things off until later.
3. We’re searching for the perfect system because everyone tells us to work smart, not hard. So now we’re thinking, “Once I read this book or watch that video, I’ll know exactly what to do.” But the truth is, you already know what you need to do.
4. We’re getting distracted by the new and shiny systems and methods instead of picking one, sticking to it, and working it until it’s no longer serving the goals or outcome you’re after.
   
   

What to Do Instead

When you don’t take action, you remain stuck—and I’m sure you’re aware of this.

You might even feel frustrated because you know what you need to do—you’ve heard it a thousand times—but you still can’t seem to make it happen. This often leaves you feeling disheartened, as if you’re spinning your wheels but getting nowhere.

So here’s the shift I want you to make: Instead of focusing on consuming information, focus on taking action. It’s not about the perfect plan or method—it’s about getting started, no matter how small the step.

Now, taking action isn’t always glamorous, nor does it always come with a flashy “a-ha” moment.

However, when you start putting your knowledge into practice, something shifts. You feel alive in your journey because you’re no longer stuck in your head—you’re making progress.

The best part? Doing leads to momentum.

It’s like pushing a boulder up a hill. At first, it’s heavy, and it takes all your effort. But once you’ve got it moving, it becomes easier to keep it rolling. And with each step, you’re building something real, tangible, and meaningful.

Your Challenge This Week:

Now, let’s get into the meat of it. These four steps will help you move from consuming content to doing the work and making real progress in your life.

Step 1: Pick One Piece of Advice and Take Action

Stop reading. Stop watching. Pick one piece of advice you’ve encountered recently, whether it’s about productivity, habits, or self-care. Don’t overthink it. Just choose something that feels relevant to where you’re at right now.

Then, take a small action toward it today. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. This could be as simple as writing down your goal, setting up a plan, or taking the first step toward a larger project.

The point is to create momentum. The more you do, the easier it becomes to keep doing.

Step 2: Cut Your Content Consumption in Half

We are all familiar with how quickly you can fall down the content rabbit hole. You open your phone to check one thing, and an hour later, you’ve watched three videos, read five articles, and feel more overwhelmed than ever. It’s easy to fall into this trap.

This week, cut your content consumption in half. Limit the time you spend reading articles, watching videos, and searching for the perfect system. Then, use that extra time to take action on what you’ve learned.

Instead of adding more content to your plate, start applying what you already know. You’ll be surprised by the positive difference it makes.

Step 3: Create a Daily Action Habit

Don’t wait for motivation to strike—create a habit. Set aside time every day to take a small action toward your goal. Even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes, make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Start with small, manageable tasks that you can complete every day. It could be journaling for clarity, making a business decision, or taking one step toward decluttering your space.

Over time, this daily habit will compound, and you’ll see real progress. The key is consistency, not perfection.

Step 4: Reflect and Adjust

After a few weeks of action, take time to reflect. What’s working? What’s not? Adjust your approach based on what you’ve learned.

Reflection helps you fine-tune your efforts and stay aligned with your values and goals. It also helps you recognize areas where you might still be stuck in consumption mode, so you can shift back into doing.

See you next Sunday, my friend!

P.S. You don’t have to go through this alone. Having a small group in your corner to hold you accountable can keep you on track and focused on doing rather than consuming information. This is exactly what we’re achieving in the Clarity Lab.

This past Friday, I had a welcome call with a new member of The Lab, and accountability is exactly what this member is most excited about to help them achieve their goals.

We’re kicking off our first few live events next month, and we’d love for you to join us.

In the Lab, we’ll have live calls, workshops, focus sprints (where we rally together to hit shared goals), and much more. You also have an all-access pass to my paid courses.

If you trust that I’m building something incredible, you can join The Lab at half price for life until the landing page goes live on my website. Send me an email, and I’ll share the link with you.