How many of your great ideas have gone unrealized? It might have been a great idea for an invention, authoring a book, or unique business proposal. Have you looked back and ponder why did that great idea unfulfilled? If you are honest with yourself, you would know that root cause for it is the inability to act with consistency. As Peter Marshall rightly remarked, “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”
For example, you might have the inspiration to finally lose weight and get in great shape. But then you’re unable to get started on your exercise routine. Let me share a simple mantra with you to lead amazing life – “Taking action is one of the most valuable skills to have in life.”
As Pablo Picasso observed that “Action is the foundational key to all success”, no matter what resources that you have at your disposal is of no use. You must know this fact and start moving from “inspiration to action” in order to fulfil your long waiting dreams.
Be a hero unto yourself by following these simple steps to transform inspiration into action without surrendering to common excuses.
1. Begin with baby steps: Getting started is often the most challenging task. Also, immediately jumping on to a new task for 30 minutes can be overwhelming. Start with 5 minutes and add a little time each week. I remind of a famous saying in this context that, “Getting Started Is the First and Foremost element for success.” So, enjoy the baby steps and just start doing little what you like doing.
2. Make the necessary space in your life: How much time do you need each day to accomplish your objective? For example, if you’re training for a marathon, you probably must be spending an hour a day, a few days a week, and a 2-3-hour block once a week. Make this time part of your routine and stick to the schedule to maintain the consistency.
3. Generate reminders until you develop a habit: Even with the purest of intentions, it’s easy to forget something for a few days. After some time off, it’s easy to lose momentum and enthusiasm. Always remind yourself that “Nothing will work unless you do.” So, leave notes, signs, and any other type of reminder to ensure you remember to act each day.
Related: How to Take Action Consistently
4. Watch your discipline: Are you distracted by the TV or internet? If so, do your work where these distractions aren’t present. Know what time suits you to exercise, pursue your interests without breaks. If you are occupied with the work or business in the evenings? Then, get your work done in the morning. Make sure that discipline is unbroken unless something critical hampers it.
5. Don’t be off the hook: On those certain days when you don’t feel like acting, just stop. It only takes a split second to convince yourself you have a good reason for avoiding a task. As Thomas Jefferson rightly inquired “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” If you freeze and don’t do anything else for a minute, you might be able to get yourself back on track. But if you let yourself turn on the TV or get on to Facebook, all is lost until the next time. Be committed towards marching and achieving your goals at any cost.
Related: Take action in your life
6. Know that conditions aren’t perfect: If you wait until all the stars align with the universe, you’ll rarely accomplish anything. Learn to work through less-than-perfect conditions and situations. There’s a saying, “The best time to plant a tree was last year. The second-best time is right now.” I always believe that every moment is perfect for action, only thing is your will should support to get the ball rolling.
7. Measure your progress: Quality experts are fond of saying, “When you measure something, the thing you measure changes.” Just by keeping tabs on your progress, you’re likely to make more progress and change your direction if needed to meet your life objectives.
8. Focus on the end: Dreaming is essential to achieve any goal. If you think about how miserable it will be to ride your bike for 100 miles in unfavourable conditions. Then it’s tough to get out the door. Nonetheless, if you focus on the feeling of crossing the finish line in the big race, then nothing like it. So, stay motivated by visualizing the victory at the end.
Stop being someone who spends an excessive amount of time learning, planning, and thinking. Simply come up with a decent plan and start working with enthusiasm. Just think about the most successful people you know. Are they thinkers or doers? All of us must appreciate Leonardo da Vinci for making a remarkable statement, “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
