"In the dim background of mind we know what we ought to be doing but somehow we cannot start"

This quote by William James speaks to the trouble of doing something about it in spite of understanding what we need to do. It recommends that although we might have a clear idea of what we must be doing, we typically find ourselves unable to take the first step. This might be due to a variety of factors, such as worry of failure, absence of inspiration, or merely not understanding where to start. It is simple to become overwhelmed by the job at hand, and this can lead to procrastination and a feeling of being stuck. The quote encourages us to take an action back and recognize that although we might not be able to act right now, we can still take small actions towards our objectives. By breaking down our objectives into manageable jobs, we can gradually but surely make progress towards our desired outcome.