I am shocked at people’s sincere surprise that their circumstances, condition, or outcomes have not changed when they have not taken action steps. You can have all the positive thoughts you want, but unless you take action, it is all meaningless.
It does not matter how optimistically you frame your situation. If you don’t take any action steps to improve your condition, 99.9% of the time it will not change.
Here are some examples.
You want to meet that someone special but you aren’t going out much or looking online.
You are wondering why your sales have not increased, but you are not contacting prospective clients about your product or service.
You want to improve your fitness level but, so far, you are only thinking about it. You are not moving off your couch to walk, run, play sports, or lift weights.
You want to invest in real estate but you aren’t investigating properties or attending training seminars.
You are thinking about writing a book. You haven’t decided to stop thinking and start writing!
You want to increase your workplace skills but you are not attending upgrade or development courses.
You want to earn more income but you have no secondary source of revenue outside of your job.
It really doesn’t matter what is on your wish list. Unless you take action steps, nothing will happen.
The adage talk is cheap rings true.
Reduce the size of your wish list so you can more easily take some type of action on each item.
Stop fooling yourself that you are already taking action. That erodes your credibility with others and with yourself. If something has been on your activity list for some time and you have not acted on it, take it off your list or park it until you are able or willing to take action steps to accomplish it. If it were REALLY important to you, would have acted on it by now.
Sometimes, we harbour goals or desires that are not our own; they are the goals of others.
I want you to challenge yourself to search deep inside to confirm that your goals list authentically reflects your true desires.
Sometimes we don’t take action because we either have fear or we feel overwhelmed by the prospect of tackling the goal itself.
Step back and confirm why you want to fulfill this goal—and what the payoff is for you, if you do achieve the goal.
Learn to take baby steps (micro steps). They qualify as action.
Engage at a pace that works for you, but make sure it is a forward motion, not backward.
If you choose to keep something on your list, you get to determine your own action steps. It can be as simple as making a phone call to an organization that has the information you seek.
Some time ago, I was interested in taking the ultralight pilot training course. After waiting several years, I finally called a local flight school—only to discover that under Transport Canada Laws, a course graduate could not carry a passenger unless the graduate had an Instructor’s rating. The whole purpose of my goal was to fly with my kids or friends—social interaction as well as a flight experience. For years, I had wasted mental energy on a goal that was not reasonable. I should have taken the time to learn the basic details.
I promptly parked that goal. Within the last 12 months, however, Canadian flight laws have changed; you can now (with a few extra instruction hours) get a passenger-endorsed license.
So my goal is back on. I have spent a few evenings surfing the net to learn more about the industry and potential flight training options. I even called a flight training school just before writing this ezine. The point is I am now taking action!
Action, as defined in this article, is any proactive movement that moves you toward your goal. It can be as simple as my ultralight research or booking appointments or writing out your strategy.
What about you? Where have you talked the good talk but not taken any action?
The superior man is modest in his speech,
but exceeds in his actions.
Confucius
551 BC – 479 BC
Motion or action is supported by confidence. Knowing yourself and your purpose increases your belief to engage and get going.
My Source Experience Journal™ will greatly support you on your journey to taking action. As part of the process, we also recommend the following assessments, to give you a holistic picture
Nothing Happens Unless You Take Action
- Are you are person who takes action or who only thinks about what you should do?
- If you are not taking action on some items, what are the reasons?
- Make a list of your primary goals and desires.
- Review your goal list carefully. Remove or park anything you can’t own 100% right now.
- Now look at what is left on your list. Are you taking action steps on all the items? Please confirm the status of each item.
- If you are not taking action steps on any of your goals, what can you do within the next few days to start creating momentum? Make your action list now. Ensure you are outlining the reasons or the benefits of your actions.
- Many individuals fail to take action because they try to do too much or they are overwhelmed by the complexity of the goal. If this is the case for you, take baby steps (micro steps). Pace yourself at a speed that works for you. Confirm that forward motion is occurring.
- Action means that regardless of the pace, the details of the next step have already been mapped out by you.
- Action comes from confidence. Make sure you are living on purpose. Individuals without purpose or direction can get frozen. Use My Source Journal Experience to start you on the right track.
- Know yourself. Understand your primary needs and preferences, then build a life around them. Use the Personal Style Indicator, Stress Indicator and Health Planner, Self-Worth Inventory, and Values Preference Indicator to help you with this list of Action Steps.
- In the end, success is the result of doing something. Take action now and you will discover new-found motivation by doing, rather than just thinking.
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Until next time, keep Living On Purpose!.
Ken Keis
For information on CRG Resources, please visit http://www.crgleader.com.
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