Everyone knows the feeling when a brilliant idea or cherished dream remains just on paper, buried under a pile of lists, diagrams, and strategies. We spend hours, days, or even weeks trying to anticipate every detail and map out the perfect route to success. However, modern science suggests that this meticulous preparation is often the main obstacle on the way to our goals. It turns out, our brains can play tricks on us—substituting real action with the pleasant illusion of productivity.
This cognitive paradox is explained by Emily Macdonald, a specialist in neurobiology and neuropharmacology, educated at the universities of Texas and Arizona. Through her popular blog @emonthebrain, she shares scientific insights about the brain, helping thousands of people improve their mental health. According to her observations, the root of the problem lies in dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. When we create detailed plans, the brain registers it as a completed task and generously rewards us with a dose of dopamine. This creates the deceptive feeling that we’ve already achieved something meaningful, even though we haven’t actually made any progress at all. Macdonald calls this the ‘illusion of progress.’
Immersing ourselves in endless attempts to construct the perfect path, we risk falling into the trap known as ‘analysis paralysis.’ Our brain, overwhelmed by options and hypothetical obstacles, simply refuses to act. One could spend a lifetime drawing an impeccable map, yet never set out on the journey. A neurobiologist emphasizes that making a mistake by taking action is far more productive than doing nothing at all. It is in that initial, even imperfect, step where all the magic of transformation and genuine progress lies.
Real progress begins only with concrete action. As soon as we take the first step, the brain releases dopamine once again, but this time as a reward for a real achievement. This triggers a chain reaction: genuine motivation arises, and the so-called ‘momentum’—a growing force that propels us forward—kicks in. Emily Macdonald reminds us about neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change and form new neural connections. Every action we take strengthens the paths in our minds that lead to new opportunities and ideas aligned with our broader ambitions. That’s why you shouldn’t wait for inspiration to start. Action itself generates both motivation and inspiration.
The researcher supports her conclusions not only with studies, but also with personal experience. She cites her long-standing practice of ‘intuitive hiking’ as an example, when she would deliberately set out into unfamiliar territory without a fixed route. ‘I would get lost on purpose,’ she admits, ‘and realized that to reach the summit, you don’t need to see the whole trail from the base. It’s enough to know where to take the next right step.’ Her advice is simple: start small and dare to take action right now. Let the very act create momentum that will carry you toward your dream. Your brain will adjust itself to help you achieve it.
