"行动是成功的基础键。"

The essence of this idea is simple: taking action is the starting point for achieving any kind of success. It's not about having the best plans or the grandest dreams; it's about actually doing something. That’s what makes the difference.

This idea has been around for a long time, but one place it showed up in a big way was in the life of Pablo Picasso. He's the one who said it. Think about Picasso's work. We know him for his incredible paintings and his role in shaping modern art. But what people sometimes forget is the sheer volume of work he produced. Picasso wasn't just a genius; he was prolific. He created over 50,000 pieces of art in his lifetime. That’s a staggering number, and it didn’t happen by sitting around thinking about painting. It happened because he was constantly in action, always creating.

Let's take a real-life example to see this in action. Consider the story of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She wasn’t an expert in fashion. She didn’t have an MBA. What she had was an idea and the determination to make it happen. She took her savings—about $5,000—and set out to create a new kind of undergarment. She faced rejections and obstacles, but she kept going. She took action every day, from researching fabrics to cold-calling manufacturers. Today, Spanx is a billion-dollar company. It all started because Sara didn’t just dream about it; she did something about it.

So, how can you apply this in your own life? Start by breaking down your big goals into smaller, actionable steps. Want to write a book? Don’t focus on the whole thing right away. Write one page a day. Thinking about starting a business? Begin with market research or a simple business plan. The key is to do something—anything—that moves you forward.

Now, let’s make it even more relatable. Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend, and you’re talking about wanting to get in shape. You’ve got all these plans: you’ll join a gym, hire a personal trainer, follow a strict diet. But weeks go by, and you’re still on the couch. Your friend says, “Hey, why don’t we just go for a walk around the block right now?” That’s action. It’s not perfect. It’s not the whole plan. But it’s a start.

Think of action like planting seeds. Each small step you take is a seed in the ground. You might not see results right away, but over time, those seeds will grow into something significant. You don’t need to wait for perfect conditions. You don’t need a grand plan. You just need to start planting those seeds.

So, next time you catch yourself overthinking or procrastinating, remember Picasso and Sara Blakely. Remember that action, no matter how small, is the foundational key. It’s what turns dreams into reality. Take that first step and keep moving forward. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to success.