Psychologist Carl Jung once said, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” So many of us have a list of things we want to do, wish we could do, should do, or say we’re going to do. Then we get sidetracked by interruptions, distractions, vices, fear, and avoidance—leaving these goals unfulfilled and our self-confidence eroded.
Having many ideas is common, but actually executing ideas is rare. It’s so rare, in fact, that people who are great at taking action seem almost to have a superpower. The good news is anyone can develop this superpower in themselves. Consider the following to overcome procrastination, fear, and inertia and hone your ability to take action.
Clarity
It’s imperative to define what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Without a clear goal and strong reasons to pursue that goal, you’ll lack direction and motivation.Try to be as specific as possible. For example, you may want to get into shape, but that is a bit vague. Perhaps what that means for you is that you lose 10 pounds and firmly establish the habit of exercising five times per week for 30 minutes.
That is more specific, but why do you want to do this? Perhaps you want to increase your energy and maintain your ability to keep up with your children and grandchildren as you age.
A compelling reason can propel you to action.
Obstacles
Identify the obstacles that seem to routinely get in the way of your taking action. A common hindrance for many of us is fear. It could also be a lack of belief in your ability to accomplish what you want, interference from external distractions and obligations, or simply an environment that inadequately supports your efforts.All of those obstacles can be removed or overcome, but identifying them is the first step.
Brainstorm
Make a list of all the possible actions you can take to bring your idea to fruition. Consider that these are possible actions that might lead to progress, not mandatory tasks to complete. Creating a buffet of options will allow you to see concrete options and make informed decisions about what to do next.Start Small
The difference between no action whatsoever and a very tiny step forward can be a game changer that propels you into momentum. Don’t underestimate the power of tiny actions to start. If you’re trying to write a book, write a sentence. If you’re trying to work out, put on your sneakers. If you’re trying to organize your home, clear a countertop. Take the first step, or even a tiny piece of the first step, to break through the difference between acting and not acting.Perfectionism
Perfectionism sounds almost virtuous, but it’s a dream killer. When you’ll only act when everything’s perfect and success is guaranteed, you’ll never act. Perfectionism is actually fear in disguise.
Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress. Your goal is to be just a little bit better than you were yesterday. Take just a small step toward your goal. If you diligently work and maintain consistency, progress will soon be in sight.
Deadlines
Set a deadline for yourself, and perhaps incremental deadlines along the way. When your timeline is ambiguous, you’ll have little resolve to get to work. I don’t know a single person who enjoys filing their taxes, but nearly everyone does it by the deadline.A hard deadline is a compelling force.
Accountability
If you couple a deadline with some external accountability, you’ll greatly increase your motivation to take action. Some people proclaim their specific goal publicly and even share their progress along the way to force external accountability. Some people recruit someone to check on their progress. Some people hire a coach. Some people join a community of people trying to achieve the same goal.It can be easier to let ourselves down than to let other people down. Put external measures in place to keep yourself accountable.
Simplification
When we believe ideas to be big or difficult, we may overcomplicate what we perceive it takes to execute them. Complication fuels overwhelm and avoidance.Simplify your next action steps to overcome this limiting mindset. Ask yourself: What’s the simplest action I can take to make some progress on this goal? When that is done, ask the same question. Little actions performed consistently over time create big results. Simplify your decision-making process and just do the next right thing.
