“All the noble thoughts, magnificent plans, and “secrets” of achievement in the world are of little value unless and until they are put into action. Our worth is always determined by our deeds, not by our good intentions, however noble.” Og Mandino, “A Better Way to Live”
ACT
Action is the fruit of thinking and choosing.
Right action is the fruit of right thinking and right choosing.
In the end, your life is formed by what you do. And there is always something you can do to improve your current situation.
Obstacles to action-
Fear- “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Franklin D Roosevelt
Pride- I’m so worried about what others might think if I do, that I don’t.
Past Failure- Failure is an event not an end, a stepping stone to success.
Habit- Many choose the known of slavery to the unknown of freedom.
Negative Thinking- When we don’t believe we can, we’re already half beaten.
Lack of Focus- When we don’t know where we are going, any path will get us there.
Keys to Action-
Accountability- “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Responsibility- Realizing that you alone have the power to make your life what you want it to be.
“If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” Rex C. Houze
Integrity- Being true to your value and values in your every action.
Purpose- When you know where you are going, it is so much easier to know what to do to get there.
“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli
Belief- You must sow, before you can reap. And you will only sow if you believe you will reap.
“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do first things, first- Maximize your actions by doing what matters most, first.
Partner- Double your efforts and quadruple your results by attacking a problem or project with the help of someone else. Keep an open mind to their unique insights and methods and you can discover what you don’t know you don’t know.
Take one bite at a time- Just do the next thing. Don’t let the size or scale of a project overwhelm you. You can’t do it all at one time, but you can give your all to one thing at a time.
Maximize your efforts by- working to your strengths and delegate your weaknesses.
“Your actions are a true reflection of what you really believe.”
63. What do your actions or inaction say about what you believe?
“The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don’t like to do.” Thomas Edison
64. What is the most important action you can take immediately improve your life?
65. What is preventing you from taking this action and what can you do to overcome or remove this obstacle?
