Moving Mountains By Mastering Simple Repeated Actions
Turn complexity into a series of simple actions and the mountain will move. — Sun Tzu
From Overwhelming Problems to Manageable Steps
Sun Tzu’s line suggests that what intimidates us is rarely the task itself, but its perceived size. A mountain appears immovable when viewed as a single, monolithic challenge. Yet, by breaking complexity into a series of simple actions, the same mountain begins to look like a collection of small, workable tasks. This shift in perspective turns paralysis into motion, allowing effort to accumulate instead of being smothered by anxiety.
Strategic Simplicity in The Art of War
Although Sun Tzu’s *The Art of War* (c. 5th century BC) deals with warfare, its lessons on strategy apply broadly. He repeatedly emphasizes preparation, positioning, and incremental advantage over reckless heroics. In that spirit, converting a complex campaign into clear, sequential actions enables a general to coordinate troops and resources effectively. Likewise, in daily life, strategic simplicity transforms abstract goals—like learning a language or launching a business—into concrete, repeatable moves.
The Power of Incremental Progress
Once complexity is decomposed, the true power lies in repetition. A single simple action seems trivial, just as removing one stone changes nothing about a mountain. Yet, sustained over time, these actions compound. This echoes the proverb “A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet,” often attributed to Laozi. By trusting the logic of accumulation rather than instant results, we allow modest efforts to evolve into profound change.
Psychological Relief Through Clear Next Steps
Translating a daunting objective into small, visible steps also eases psychological resistance. Cognitive psychology shows that vague, large goals increase procrastination, whereas specific next actions reduce mental friction. Knowing precisely what to do next—make a call, write one paragraph, solve one equation—shrinks fear and creates a sense of control. In this way, simplicity is not just a tactical advantage; it is an emotional lifeline that keeps us engaged with hard work.
Designing Systems That Move Mountains
Ultimately, Sun Tzu’s insight points toward building systems rather than relying on bursts of willpower. A system is a repeatable set of simple actions aligned with a larger purpose: a daily writing routine for a book, a training schedule for a marathon, or a savings plan for financial freedom. By committing to the system, we stop wrestling with the entire mountain and instead focus on the next stone. Over time, the landscape changes—not through force, but through consistent, well-designed simplicity.