Sunday, January 15, 2012

Stop Reading - Start Doing

Here I am staring at a blank white text box, slowly watching letter after letter appear as I ponder what to write about in today's installment.   The trouble with being a blogger of an inspirational site is having some fresh inspirational thing to say every time.

As I think about it, all the inspiration quotes in the world did not make a whit of difference in my life, except to maybe temporarily brighten my mood (and take up some memory space).  For that matter 25 years of studying about success did little to help me either.

In the end, it's not about the 'knowing'.  It's about the 'doing'.   Fact of the matter is a lot of people who are doing right now, what you want to be doing, didn't get there from reading any inspiration material like this.  They simply took the necessary actions.  But how did they know what actions to take you ask?   They didn't!  Not initially.  They either figured it out through trial and error or sought the advice of those who had carved out the path ahead of them.

I read recently the Google founders where coached by Steve Jobs (the late CEO of Apple).  They didn't get to where they are by accident, they got there taking action and learning from their more successful peers.

So, here's my inspirational advice for today, and this applies as much to me as it does to you.  Stop seeking to fix yourself.  God has already given you everything you need to succeed in life.   Education and intelligence notwithstanding - not so bright and poorly educated people have managed to live very successful lives, I know, I've met some personally - and that's no slight on those people, it's a deep appreciation for what they have accomplished.   If you were to take the time to actually go and meet people who are living the life you currently desire, you would quickly realize, that they are really not very different than you.

The difference is this.  They are taking action while you're sitting here wanting to take action.  Looking for the right action to take.   The right action, is any action that sets you in motion!  Even if it's in the wrong direction.  Won't take you long to figure that out and then you course correct.  But it's always better to be doing than to always to be planning to do.    Yes, you should have a plan, but the greatest design in the world for a temple beyond comprehension doesn't amount to anything if the shovel never hits the dirt.

Commit to yourself to take one action towards your top goal (set a goal if you haven't got one) right now.  Not tomorrow, not even later today.  Do it now.  It can be a small simple action.  A call.  A purchase. A request for help.  A commitment to another.  But start the journey, right now. 

Then keep taking actions every day.   Then stop reading about what to do and instead learn best techniques from others while you walk the walk.  If you discovered you've stopped, start again. 

A rich life is built from the compound interest of our daily actions.

Preston Squire 2012

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