Actions Talk Louder than a Thousand Words

Set your objectives, goals, targets or simply the thing you want to do and go for it.  I know it sounds simple and it really is.  Without momentum we go nowhere, no matter how much we want or wish of it.   You have to do something to things happen.  That does not mean the journey is simple or what has to be done is simple, it simply means you have to take action and the very first action that needs to be taken is always easier than you think.

Over the years I have managed, coached and inspired many people as well has driven myself and the simple truth of taking action is a constant.  Many times it is just a matter of figuring out the very next thing that you need to do and not getting bogged down in the enormity of getting to the end result.  For example if you have decided to change jobs the very next action might be to update or write your resume and then from there determine the type of job/career you want to do and from there contact an employment agency and from there, well you get the idea.  A simple step wise approach compartmentalizing your next action so that you are not overwhelmed by the whole.

Now I would love to be credited with this pearl of wisdom but like most of what I plan on sharing with you, you probably already know it, have heard of it or someone else has written about it.  My goals it to share what I have learnt having lived it and learnt it through personal successes, but mostly from the mistakes I have made alone the way.

You would be amazed at how many ideas and dreams fall by the wayside as a result of inaction.  Think back on your own experiences, of the times you may have spent thinking about something or talking to friends or family about an idea only to have nothing happen.   When it comes down to it, it was simply an idea and whilst the mind is great and forming them it cannot manifest an idea without action.

Inaction in the work place.   A meeting is held to discuss a project or direction.  The participants in the meeting talk with passion, share ideas, set direction share experience and then they leave the meeting only to get together again a short time later to have the same or similar discussion.  Unless someone takes actions based on the meeting topic nothing will happen and the meeting cycle will continue and it does.  Regardless of the number of meetings I have been in and I have been in a lot, I always find the dynamic of who is going to take the actions and get stuff done vs those that come to talk an interesting one.   The talkers only add value if someone takes the actions.  Now we are wandering into the realm of meeting dynamics and I will save that for a separate topic.

In my personal and work life the only times I have been successful have been when I have taken action, oh and don't be afraid of taking the wrong action unless there is real danger attached to it.  The wrong actions have always helped inform me of the right action, if we don't make mistakes we are not trying.  I like the saying "someone who never made a mistake never did anything".   Ironically our mistakes lead us to our successes either now or in the future, so embrace them.

Here is an exercise to help you explore how strong your action muscle is.  Reflect on the ideas you have had or the things you want to do, you know the ones.  The good ones that you have always thought would change your life.  Then as you go through them ask yourself what actions have you taken and if you have taken actions what has stopped you taking the very next action to move it forward.  Now my challenge pick just one of them and take the next action and the one after that … who knows where it will take you.

In my next post I will explore why we don't take actions …..