"Everyone knows somebody that needs to read this book (Perseverance) !" –Kathie Lee Gifford, Live on NBC’s Today Show
"Perseverance offers… profound insight for all of us seeking to lead a meaningful life." –Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind
»More Reviews
Buy Perseverance
What Are You Waiting For? 4 Steps to Begin Taking Bold Action
“Good decisions, bad decisions, at least you’re making decisions” was the sage advice I once received. At the time, I thought it was crazy. Who wants to make bad decisions? But over time, I’ve learned that indecision can often be worse. Indecision and uncertainty can be dangerous, as the ability to analyze two sides of a problem and draw a timely conclusion are crucial, especially in the interconnected world we live in today.
An anonymous quote reads, “Indecision is the graveyard of good intention.” I challenge you to think about how this applies to you. Do you feel that fear, or a sense of helplessness, stands in your way between where you are now and where you want to be? If you do, ask yourself WHY. Utilize the question of “WHY?” to get to the root of your inaction. It may take five or more why’s to break down the amorphous uncertainty, but without doing so, you remain exactly where you were, without any clue as to what your next step should be. Asking yourself “why?” clarifies what is standing between you and your bold action. This questioning process won’t take the action for you, but it will provide you with a greater certainty and a sense of control towards your next step.
Why do we find ourselves at this standstill?
Because we have become comfortable — finding ourselves standing still in our comfort zones. Quite simply, our comfort zone is an easy place to be. We retreat to our comfort zones to feel a sense of ease and certainty. We know what to do within it. We know how to excel. Why question what works for us? Sometimes we shouldn’t; however, when this place of retreat becomes a blockade between what our essential selves want, then we must challenge the status quo. But challenging the status quo isn’t fun. As a result, we may overstay our welcome in the comfort zone.
Without realizing it, from that function of comfort, comes the desolate and uninspiring interim. Most ironically, this period of waiting is a very uncomfortable place to be. I often don’t notice that I’m waiting – standing rigid in my comfort zone. I trick myself into believing there is a good reason that I’m waiting for something external to happen. It is in this ambivalence that action seems to become a fantasy… a world away. Taking that leap of faith in yourself is scary, yet necessary.
Then indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting o’er lost days.
Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute;
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Begin taking bold action.
The action itself is not what we fear – it is our thoughts that are restraining. Break free from those thoughts and move towards action. Soon enough, small steps will become the equivalent of a giant leap toward the creative, the passionate, the driven, and the anew. Use these four steps to aid yourself in the process of revitalization.
1. Ask yourself tough questions. What is the cost of inaction? Create a “why not?” list and ask yourself if the benefits outweigh these negative thoughts. Think about the consequences of the status quo internally and externally.
2. Accept rational accountability. Decide to change your inaction and make yourself accountable for both your actions and inaction. I grew up learning that there are actions of commission and acts of omission. We are equally responsible for what we do and don’t do.
3. Follow your own advice. If a friend were in the same scenario, what advice would you give him or her? Taking a step back from the problem or scenario might help you gain objectivity. Sometimes being too entrenched can cloud our judgment.
4. Always listen to your intuition. Do a gut check and gauge what the heart and mind can’t. Remember that this requires little thinking… What’s your first reaction? How do you viscerally respond to what’s going on? If you have strong feelings, listen to them.
The bold action that you take doesn’t have to be anything grandiose; it can merely be a step away from ambivalence and inactivity. We may not always get our decisions “right,” but there is something both beautiful and powerful about taking action. What are you waiting for?
Are you stuck in a comfort zone? Or have you successfully overcome the strong magnetic pull of this place of inaction? Share your thoughts, questions, or sage advice below. (If you don’t typically leave comments, begin taking bold action by starting today!)
: : endnote : :
Don’t miss a post! Subscribe via RSS to A Beautiful Ripple Effect.
I don’t do e-newsletters, but I do have an Advance Notice & News list! Sign up here.
Related "ripples" you might enjoy:
- How to Take Action on a Daunting Project
- Are Your Comfort Zones Holding You Back?
- 10 Steps for Overcoming Overwhelm
This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 5:21 pm and is filed under Goals & Productivity, Tips + Techniques. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
12 Responses to “What Are You Waiting For? 4 Steps to Begin Taking Bold Action”
Leave a Reply
Hi Carolyn, this is a great post. It is subtle yet very powerful. ‘Follow your own advice’ really is great advice :) We are really bad at this but when we stop to think what we would tell a friend to do in our situation the picture really becomes clear.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..A Definitive 4 Step Process for Setting Goals
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Thank you so much, Steven. Subtle yet powerful is what I aim for – or at the very least, powerful! Shifting mindsets is key for someone who gets stuck – we’re so good at rationalizing our decisions that without the change in perspective it is almost impossible to break the rationalization cycle. Many people do this intuitively – I’m not one of them though :).
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by KDepp: Good timing for this one!! RT @clrsimple2: Just posted! What Are You Waiting For? 4 Steps to Begin Taking Bold Action http://bit.ly/cnNqDR...
Hi Carolyn,
Great thoughts! It is required that we take actions as if an action is not taken that will worsen the situation if not in the present but definitely in the future.
If we have listened to our intuition, asked ourselves the tough questions we cannot be wrong. Even if we are wrong we will not regret.
Taking actions is required: If action (decision) results in fruit – enjoy it.
If the action and the decision is not good – then you definitely gain experience which is worth it.
Bye for now,
Cheryl
Cheryl Paris´s last blog ..How We Grew With An Acorn- N is for…
Twitter: carolynr
says:
So very true Cheryl. Whenever we take action, we embark on a journey that will take twists and turns. Rarely does our “bold action” follow our blueprint perfectly. But that doesn’t matter. The lessons and true joy are experienced in the process of moving according to our internal compass.
Thanks for sharing this post Carolyn :)
Intuition is always a good thing to follow, some of us tend to ignore it and then we end up in a problem that we never wanted to be in. I seem to follow my intuition more than I ever have before. Taking action is most important ;)
Twitter: carolynr
says:
How did you get to the point where you are now? It’s so hard to overcome social forces and follow our intuition the majority of the time.
Twitter: realtaiji
says:
Ironically, I suppose, I interrupt bold swaths of action to read great advice on Twitter, Facebook, and excellent blogs. And these inactive moments are certainly a habitual comfort zone.
Thanks for the ideas… off I go…
S.Smith – Real Taiji´s last blog ..Eliminate Habits
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Oh gosh so do I!
Twitter: scrappinmichele
says:
Just found your blog thru an ad on the Zen Habits blog. I love love love your blog. I’m putting it in my feed reader and will catch up on old posts over the weekend.
Michele McGraw´s last blog ..My Thankful Project, A Weekly Gratitude Journal
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Thank you, Michele! I am honored that you added me to your feed reader :). I look forward to talking more on A Beautiful Ripple Effect!
Wishing you a beautiful week,
Carolyn
Great post! Decide or let go – either way, don’t worry. Thanx.
Jacob Marinko´s last blog ..By: Micke