Mike MichalowiczBusiness Author & Keynote Speaker Empowering Entrepreneurs

The Hidden Cost of Inaction

3 Oct 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief monologue, Mike Michalowicz expands the definition of failure to include the things we never do—missed calls, untried ideas, and opportunities we never consider. He points out that because we never act, we often fail to recognize these as failures at all. He then balances this view by arguing that some of the greatest achievements stem from disciplined non‑action: deliberately avoiding certain paths or distractions allows us to stay focused and move forward. The overall message is that both unintentional inaction and purposeful restraint shape our success, and awareness of both is essential for personal growth.

And that points to another failure. Another form of failure is things we didn't do. So, and we don't think about it. Like, I didn't pick up the phone and call that person. I didn't try out that one thing. We don't consider it failure because we didn't consider it. In the same breath, sometimes the greatest things, the greatest accomplishment you have in your life is because you had the discipline of not doing something. Right. Yeah. Because you didn't go down a fork down the road. You followed this path. You didn't miss something. You missed a distraction and you went forward. So there is this balance.