Action, action, action.
How having a bias toward action can unlock progress and momentum.
EFFIGIES — Bringing nerds together to reveal the hidden wisdom of comics for fuller, more productive lives!
What’s Inside:
DIY mentality and bias toward action
Gerard Way: music to comics crossover
5 rules for building a bias toward action
Lately, I’ve been reading Where Are Your Boys Tonight? by Chris Payne, and it’s had me thinking a lot about the DIY culture of hardcore and emo music that came out of New Jersey (where I grew up) in the late 90s and early 2000’s (when I was growing up).
The book captures the ethos of a generation of musicians who made things happen, even when they didn’t have much support. This DIY mentality and environment shaped how I approached my own creative pursuits, particularly in writing comics. It’s all about having a bias toward action—a mindset that’s been foundational to everything I do.
What is a Bias Toward Action?
A bias toward action means leaning into doing rather than overthinking. It’s about favoring movement over hesitation and making progress instead of waiting for ideal conditions. For those hardcore and emo bands, a bias toward action meant booking shows in basements, recording demos in friends’ garages, and distributing music by hand, all without the backing of big labels. In my own work, it means not waiting for permission to write or publish, but diving in and figuring things out along the way.
Crossover.
When it comes to embodying the DIY ethos, few people straddle the worlds of music and comics as perfectly as Gerard Way. Long before he became a household name as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance or the creator of The Umbrella Academy, Way (a fellow New Jerseyan) was hustling to get his ideas out into the world. He didn’t wait for opportunities to come to him—he created his own.
In the early 2000s, My Chemical Romance started with small, self-funded shows and a relentless touring schedule, building a grassroots following one basement and dive bar at a time. When major labels weren’t knocking, the band recorded and distributed their own music, putting in the legwork to get noticed.
That same DIY spirit carried over into Way’s foray into comics. Long before The Umbrella Academy became a hit Netflix show, he was sketching ideas and pitching stories to small publishers, crafting his own path into the industry.
Way’s journey proves that having a bias toward action means more than just jumping into things—it’s about believing in your vision and taking bold steps to bring it to life, even when the resources are scarce or the path forward is unclear. Whether it was pushing his band to the forefront of the emo scene or making a name for himself in comics, Way’s success is rooted in his refusal to wait for someone else’s permission to create. He’s a testament to how far the DIY mentality, coupled with a relentless bias toward action, can take you.
Building a bias toward action.
Having a bias toward action keeps you moving forward, even if you don’t have all the answers. It’s what gets you from concept to execution, turning ideas into real-world results. Sure, not everything will work, but action creates momentum—and momentum can be refined and directed toward better results.
With that in mind, here’s a simple set of rules to cultivate a bias toward action, no matter what you’re working on:
Start Before You’re Ready - Don’t wait until everything is perfectly planned out. Begin with what you have, even if it’s just a rough idea or a basic outline. You’ll learn more by doing and iterating than by waiting for the ideal starting conditions. This is the old “out of pan and into the fire” adage in action – learn by doing.
Break It Down - Big goals can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, if your goal is to start a business, focus on creating a one-page business plan first, then research your market, and move step-by-step. Each small win builds momentum and keeps you motivated. For more on this, check out the issue on Micro-goals.
Embrace Imperfection - Perfectionism is a progress killer. Accept that your first attempt won’t be flawless, and that’s okay. The goal is to create something you can refine and build on. You can always tweak and improve, but you can’t edit or iterate on a blank page. One of my rules for writing comics is to just get the first draft on paper. It’ll suck, but if it's on paper, it can be improved. If you haven’t written anything, you can make it better.
Set Short Deadlines - Give yourself tight, achievable deadlines to create urgency. For example, if you want to start a blog, set a deadline to write your first post within a week. Short deadlines push you to act and prevent analysis paralysis. When I relaunched this newsletter, I just did it. I decided one day, spent a week getting the first 8 drafts together, and launched the following week.
Seek Feedback Early - Don’t wait until a project is “perfect” to share it. Seek feedback when it’s still in its early stages. Getting input quickly accelerates your improvement and prevents you from getting stuck in your own head. I constantly ask people to look at what I’m working at at every stage. That fresh perspective clues me into anything I might be missing or not thinking about the right way. It can be a game-changer.
This framework works for anything you want to accomplish—whether it’s launching a project, learning a new skill, or making a career change. By focusing on action, you’ll build momentum and make real progress, even in the face of uncertainty.
A bias toward action isn’t about blindly rushing into things—it’s about creating momentum and refusing to be stuck. Whether it’s starting a new business, launching a creative project, or making a career change, action builds confidence and creates the conditions for learning and growth. Waiting for the perfect plan will just keep you stalled. Start now, take small steps, and refine as you go.
I’m Frank Gogol, writer of comics such as Dead End Kids, No Heroine, Unborn, Power Rangers, and more. If this newsletter was interesting / helpful / entertaining…
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After credits scene.
I can’t believe it’s October already, but that means it’s time for me to make my annual recommendation that everyone should watch The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.
This is one of the best TV shows I’ve ever watched and I rewatch it at least once a year. If you’re looking for something spooky to check out this Halloween season, and you haven’t already, give The Haunting of Hill House a shot.
It’s simply phenomenal storytelling.