Many individuals have a vast chasm between what they know to do and what they actually do. Why is that? The answer is a lack of action. It is great to have dazzling dreams and fantastic goals, but you’ll never accomplish anything without first taking action.
German poet, scientist and novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote, “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” Many of us have great intentions, but never step into the action stage of accomplishment. Often, we purpose to take action when the idea strikes us, intending to do something while the emotion is high. But if we don’t translate that intention into action fairly quickly, the urgency and motivation start to ebb away like the tide. A week, a month, six months later, the momentum is as frozen as Alaskan ice. In a year’s time, that once-burning passion is nowhere to be found.Wisdom directs that we must act today. When you are motivated by new information and wise counsel, act immediately. Get started by putting these principles into practice because neglect leads to mounting disappointment. Distinction awaits you, but only when you proceed beyond intention to the place of dedicated action.My friend, don’t wait until tomorrow. Start now by asking yourself, “What have I been postponing?” Whatever it is, there is no better time to begin than today! Read for ten minutes. Do five push-ups. Just do something. Take some type of action that will move you closer to your dreams. Action is the key that opens the door of opportunity. Don’t be someone who waits so long to walk through that door that it closes before you.You will never know what you can achieve if you never step out and act. Walt Disney never imagined that Disney World would become so vast and lucrative until he took action. Bill Gates never thought he would be worth over forty billion dollars until he acted. I never thought I would speak before governments, royalty and businesses worldwide until I acted. Opportunities come to everyone, but only those who take action can take advantage of them. None of us will ever experience satisfaction or fulfillment without first moving toward our dreams and goals.
Oliver Wendell Holmes declared, “Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” Every time I read those words, I pray I never die with an effective book unwritten, a poignant message not preached, or a fulfilling relationship undeveloped. The time is now. We must act now and forget about trying to have everything figured out before we ever start.
The two greatest barriers to action, the twin obstacles that cause people to become complacent, are procrastination and fear. Let’s take a closer look at these two dream thieves:
Procrastination
Webster’s Dictionary defines procrastination as “Putting off until tomorrow what you can do today; neglecting to act on an instruction, hesitating at an opportunity, or choosing present pleasure over long-term success.” How much plainer can it be said?
Like the student who waits until the day of the exam to study, procrastination is the thief of progress, robbing you of opportunity one unproductive moment at a time. Distinct men and women are not known to procrastinate their highest priorities. You can never achieve distinction by the procrastination of your present responsibilities.
Although procrastination may seem harmless in the beginning, the opposite is true. It is a deadly disease with one purpose – to deprive you of a future. Procrastination is a vicious thief, robbing many of progress and achievement. It keeps men and women from reaching their true potential.
People of distinction acquire the goals for which they aim, no matter what they must overcome or how long it takes. These folks can’t be stopped; conversely, procrastinators can barely get started.
The choice is ours to make. We must take action, make deliberate decisions, and stand firm by every choice with confidence, knowing that action is better than stagnation. Don’t be guilty of not acting; rather, be guilty because you acted but made a mistake. Forgiveness comes to those who make mistakes, but not to those who heedlessly fail to act.
Here are five simple steps to take to overcome procrastination:
Identify what you procrastinated.
Know why you procrastinated. Ask yourself: Why haven’t I taken action?
Become serious. How committed are you to overcoming procrastination? What price are you willing to pay? Your desire determines the degree of victory you have in conquering the challenge. Remember, action is the only cure for procrastination.
Imagine how you will feel after you complete the task. Spend some time thinking about how you will feel if that goal was met. If you give yourself a little mental incentive, you’ll find yourself motivated to finish the task.
Take action. Og Mandino once said, “Tomorrow can only be found in the calendar of fools.” Yesterday is in the tomb, tomorrow is in the womb; therefore we must live in the present because when we reach tomorrow it will be called today! Action and procrastination cannot exist together. Either you will take action or you will procrastinate.
Fear
What is it that you fear? Failure? Other people’s opinions? Success? Fear that keeps you from taking action must be confronted. It has been said that fear is simply False Evidence Appearing Real. Remember, over 70% of what we fear never happens!
What are you afraid to do? Make a list and then notate why you fear doing those things. This activity will help you see the self-imposed baggage you carry. These fears surely aren’t valid or true. They may feel true, and you may think that they are true, but for the most part, your fear is simply something you conjured up.
Take, for example, the fears you may face at the prospect of starting a new business. It may be a number of things – What if we don’t make enough money? What if we go bankrupt? What if nobody buys our product? What if the building burns down and we lose everything?
Let’s reverse that. What if you succeed? What if you earn triple what you thought you would make? What if you start a franchise? You see, the game can be played both ways. You and I must choose. If we focus on the negatives, fear keeps us idle. It keeps us from venturing outside our comfort zones and taking risks. It prevents us from experiencing our dreams.
In closing, I encourage you to put your attention on the things you want, not on what you don’t want. The law of focus says, “What you focus on will continue to grow.” Set your sights on your goals, knowing that as you do, you will move toward them until they become reality. Live the life of your dreams. Get a head start in this race by being willing to face your fear, banish procrastination and embrace the necessary change. I’m sure you and I will meet at the finish line! |
Drive-Thru Connections 