A vital thing to remember here at the outset of another year is the importance of taking action. Many people make resolutions and set lofty goals at the beginning of the year, but most neglect to take the action needed to see those goals completed.
Poke the Box by Seth Godin
All sorts of negative things creep in when something is not acted upon. There’s doubt, fear, indecision, and insecurity. I’ve learned in business I lose clients if I waffle on a decision or present something indirectly or insecurely.
Solomon talks about this in the Bible. He says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
We need to act quickly and confidently. If we approach a project timidly and in a round about way, we lose momentum, energy, and belief in the project, or worse, ourselves.
We just need to take action and start.
Seth Godin says in Poke the Box, “Not starting is far, far worse than being wrong. If you start, you’ve got a shot at evolving and adjusting to turn your wrong into a right. But if you don’t start, you never get a chance.”
A friend of mine, Andy Traub, is a great example of taking action. Just a month or two ago, Andy decided to write his first book. He didn’t delay or let fear and doubt creep in. He took bold action and moved forward. His book is being released the middle of this month.
Don’t sit on your dreams, take action! There’s power in a decision. There’s power in action.
Question: We’re already seven days into 2013. Have you taken the first step towards your goals for the year? What can you do today?
Thankfully I have Michael! And while I have some personal things to do today – I still plan to make progress and be productive!
That’s great Ann! I’ve got to say, I’m not surprised. Way to make it happen!
Thanks Michael – you and Claudia are a great encouragement and motivation to me.
Well thanks, Ann. It’s been a blessing to get to know you.
I’ve restarted my journey towards writing an eBook this year. I’m breaking it down into 4-5 chapters that will each be written on a Saturday. This way I’m able to dedicated that day towards the goal. Hoping to have something by March or April.
That’s great, Joe! We’re finishing up our own ebook and we also realized if we break it down into small sections, it’s much more doable. I like to compare it to writing a blog post. Figure out how many “blog posts” each section will be and then start writing it one at a time.
Looking forward to reading your ebook!
i love this! I feel like I am finally grasping what it means to live like this! Looking forward to continuing being intentional in moving along and not just sitting and waiting.
great post!
Hey thanks, Crystal. Moving can be scary, but it’s exciting too!
Just finished Poke the Box…very inspiring to hear Seth read it and motivating us to just – start. I have taken the path of a yearly “theme” of “Maturing” – that is, continuing to put myself into places that I’d rather not be. At work, at church, at home. To “Mature” for me personally is owning (starting too!) things that I have passed off to others or run away from in the past. A year of starting….here’s to it!
Sounds like a life giving way to approach the new year Michael!!!
Great, Michael, that sounds like a great theme! I’m going to check if my library has the audio of Poke the Box. I’m sure it is great to hear Seth read it himself. And, yes, here’s to a year of starting!