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There is a quote by Brian Tracy who says, “One of the characteristics of successful people is that they are action-oriented. One of the characteristics of average people is that they are conversation-oriented.”
I really like this quote because ultimately, action is what drives success. This is the basis of business growth. Taking action results in faster results, helps you make faster decisions and enables your enterprise to grow. And when challenges inevitably arise, taking action prevents overthinking and encourages you to look for solutions.
Unfortunately, sometimes taking action will be difficult! It takes energy and often courage, and on hectic work days it could actually be difficult to take the right steps forward. However, I firmly imagine that building the habit of action is crucial to success.
Here’s why I think action is so precious and how one can develop the habit of taking action in the workplace.
Why action matters
The action brings faster results:
Especially for entrepreneurs, the sooner you discover what works to assist your enterprise grow, the sooner you’ll see results. The path to success is not at all times easy – you have to try and make mistakes. But you will not know what works (and what doesn’t!) until you are attempting.
Every time you’re taking action, you gather precious information, and each step brings you closer to determining what works. The more you act, the sharper your instincts and decisions turn into.
Moreover, even if your first action doesn’t prove exactly as you expected, it often provides the information it’s worthwhile to try again and get higher results. Just doing *something* triggers latest thoughts and ideas, supplying you with a fresh perspective to work with.
Momentum is all the things:
We have all heard Newton’s first law: “Objects in motion stay in motion.” Sure, it’s a bit cliché, but it really works in the workplace. Once you get moving, it’s much easier to take care of that momentum.
When you are action-oriented, you naturally grow faster and achieve more. You also stand out from colleagues and competitors who may get stuck. Action shows confidence, leadership and initiative – qualities that do not go unnoticed when it involves profession advancement.
Look at skilled athletes like Kobe Bryant. Kobe wasn’t just talented – he was known for putting in extra hours and taking note of every detail. It was this work ethic that set him apart and made him unique.
The same applies to us in the workplace. By taking action, you build confidence, learn from mistakes, and develop latest skills, which ultimately results in greater success.
How to take action when you are feeling stuck
We all get stuck from time to time. This is one of the most frustrating feelings, especially when you need to be proactive and move forward. Fortunately, there are ways to beat that “stuck” feeling and get back into action – here are my favorites.
Ask yourself three questions:
When I feel stuck and don’t know how one can move forward, I ask myself three easy questions:
These questions force me to think about situations from different perspectives.
It’s easy to focus so much on the problem that there is no solution in sight. By asking these questions, you modify your perspective.
Perhaps your gut is telling you something you have not considered, or your heart is telling you a different approach. These easy suggestions can assist you to get over your mistake and take the next step.
Any action is higher than no action:
If you are feeling stuck, it’s tempting to think that it’s worthwhile to make some huge move to get yourself out of it. But truthfully, any action is higher than no action at all. It’s passivity that keeps you stuck.
Start small. Choose the easiest thing on your to-do list and do it. Even the smallest task can offer you a sense of accomplishment, and that little boost can offer you the momentum it’s worthwhile to tackle greater things.
It doesn’t have to be perfect or groundbreaking – just do something. This first step will assist you to gain momentum and before you know it, you may be making real progress.
Avoid perfectionism:
Perfectionism is one of the insidious barriers that stops us from taking action. We can fall into wanting every detail to be flawless, and this keeps us stuck. But the truth is that perfection does not exist.
Everyone has a different idea of what “perfect” looks like, so trying to realize it is a waste of time. If you struggle with perfectionism, remind yourself that “done is better than perfect.” (I remind myself of this often!) Another trick I exploit is to set closing dates on tasks, which helps me avoid spending too much time correcting every little detail.
We all fall into the trap of perfectionism from time to time, but the key is to acknowledge when it’s stopping you from moving forward. In most cases, taking action – even if it is not perfect – will get you closer to your goal, reasonably than waiting until all the things is high quality.
Ultimately, many people have great ideas and the potential to succeed, but what sets winners apart is their actions. It’s the key to getting results faster, solving problems more effectively, and opening up latest opportunities in your profession.
The next time you are feeling stuck or unsure, keep in mind that any action is higher than no action. Whether it’s a small task or a big decision, just take that first step and see where it takes you!