Knowing When It's OK to "Do Nothing", Pausing for Progress

 What separates mediocrity from greatness?

The guests on our weekly podcast, Most People Don't...But YOU DO!  are trailblazers across diverse industries, leaders who embody my philosophy: Most People Don't... (and Why You Should).

Their stories prove that pushing beyond convention and embracing bold action leads to extraordinary success.

Week after week, these leaders exemplify the difference between mediocrity and greatness—not just in what they achieve, but in the intentional choices they make:

• Most people don’t wake up early to sharpen their skills before the day begins.

• Most people don’t follow up after rejection, refining their message until it sticks.

• Most people don’t prepare for opportunities before they arise—so when the moment comes, they miss it.

But today, I’m going to say something you might not expect. A massive twist in the philosophy of taking action:

Sometimes, Doing "Nothing" Can Be Your Best Strategy for Achieving Greatness or Success. 

This is a massive twist to taking action. 

Sometimes, "Doing Nothing" Can Be Your Best Strategy

Most People Don't... Know When to "DO" Nothing

We’ve been conditioned to believe that action equals progress, but what if strategic inaction is what may truly drive success?

Sometimes, the best move isn't what to do next.

It may be knowing when not to act at all.

Doing "Nothing" is actually still "Doing Something".

The Power of Pause

Why Doing Nothing Might Be Your Strongest Move.

We live in a world that rewards hustle, speed, and instant reaction. But here's the twist:

Most people rush to react. Great leaders pause with purpose.

Most people think action equals progress.

But, High performers know silence can speak louder than words.

Sometimes, doing nothing is actually doing something smart.

In this week’s podcast, we flip the script on success. I share stories (including one from my book) that prove strategic inaction isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Ask yourself, "Would doing nothing serve me better"?

Why this matters:

• Mediocrity reacts. Greatness responds with intention.

• Inaction, when done with purpose, is a strategy, one most people overlook.

• You don’t have to fill every silence. Sometimes silence closes the deal.

Listen to our recent episode of Most People Don’t…But YOU DO! 

Remember success doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it pauses, and that pause changes everything.

Imagine in nature, when an animal is faced with danger they have three choices; fight, flight, or freeze.  Not moving, not acting may save their life.  Not moving, not acting may accelerate your success. 

MIT Sloan’s principle of deliberate calm highlights that Effective Leaders don’t just react; they pause, assess, and act with measured precision.  Cool heads in calm waters. Unemotional decision making. 

This is very important.

In business, personal growth, and leadership, knowing when to wait often beats forced execution.

About 30 years ago (I'm a little smarter now) a member of my team came to me to discuss a conflict with a competitor. I immediately showed my anger and vowed to make them "rue the day" they offended a member of my group. I wanted my colleague to see my passion toward helping her.  However, I realized all she wanted was for me to listen.  The actions that I took were not ideal and I reacted in an emotional manner that didn't help anything or anybody. No action was required.

Here is another example, the best negotiators don’t rush responses—they use silence as leverage.  "Silence is Golden... and Green" references a story in my book in which I paused and went radio silent after proposing our fees.  There was no, "how does this sound?" or "does that fit into your budget?" - just pure silence.  No action required. (We won the business.)

The best investors don’t panic-sell; they wait through market fluctuations.

Don’t rush to react—strategic silence often speaks louder than words.

High performers in every industry understand that sometimes, doing nothing positions them for greater success.

Before making your next move, ask: "Would doing nothing serve me better?"

Some of my podcast guests, the most successful leaders, know that sometimes, the best move is no move at all.

Socrates would say, "Ask yourself these three questions before speaking.  Is it KIND, NECESSARY, and TRUE?" 

If the answer wasn't "YES" to all three, he suggests we remain silent. 

Instead of reacting impulsively, pausing allows clarity to emerge, whether in business, leadership, or personal growth.

• #BeBamboo—Stay Flexible: When adversity strikes, ask: how can I adjust instead of resisting? What creative solutions might emerge?
• Practice Deliberate Calm: Before reacting, ask—Would doing nothing serve me better?
• Use Silence as a Leadership Tool: Experiment with silence in conversations or negotiations. What insights emerge?

Also, remember, don't underestimate the power of "Doing what others won’t—and knowing when to do nothing at all".

To hear more information about this topic, listen to this week's episode:

Knowing When it's OK to "Do Nothing", Pausing Progress

Every week I have conversations with successful leaders that share powerful stories, practical insights, and motivational lessons to help you lead better and enjoy a more meaningful and impactful life.

You can find the podcast on all major platforms like Apple, Spotify, and my website, mostpeopledont.com.

Don't miss out on the chance to be inspired and empowered!

It’s another great one. 🎧