Create an Action Habit: 9 Awesome Tips to Begin

by Tess

take action basketball

Everyone has days when they feel unmotivated, fearful or stuck. Some waste time, some quit and others keep going. They adopt an in spite of attitude. They take continuous action no matter what. You can do the same!

How to create an action habit:

1. Have a clear vision.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain

Make a plan. Visualize your desired outcome. Get excited about it. Make a commitment to invest your time, money and energy into your plan. Be willing to do what it takes. Without this you won’t feel like taking any action at all.

2. Know what’s important.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Prioritize your to-do list. Each day focus on the three most important things you need to do. Let the rest go. At the end of the day add new things to the list, re-prioritize. The following day do the top three things again. It’s like the 80/20 principle. Identify key tasks (20%) that will produce the greatest results (80%). Repeat daily.

3. Remind yourself that you are capable.

Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but don't quit. ~ Conrad Hilton

When you feel unmotivated remind yourself of past successes. Use affirmations. Read the success stories of others. Learn from them. Convince yourself that you’re just as capable. You are! 

4. Get help and support.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

You don’t have to do everything yourself. You don’t have to go it alone. Simply ask others for their time, advice, and support. If your request is rejected, ask again!

5. Make a sign for your desk that says, “Take action!”

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Don’t delay what you need to do. When you want to over think things, take action. When you want to put off a task, take action. When you want to distract yourself with social media, take action. Imagine where you’ll be at the end of the week!

6. Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down. ~ Charles F. Kettering

Starting is the difficult task. When you don’t feel like doing anything, set a timer for five minutes and begin. Most likely you’ll want to do more than 5 minutes and you’ll keep going. When you see results you feel better and do more. You gather momentum.

7. Don’t quit until you’re finished.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~ John Wooden

Make a commitment to finish what you start. Don’t give up when it gets rough. Don’t quit half way. Continue until it’s finished. Have someone hold you accountable.

8. Allow yourself to make mistakes.

Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent. ~ Marilyn vos Savant

Don’t be afraid to fail. Learn from your past. Figure out what you can do differently next time. Fail forward fast. You’ll be closer to success. 

9. Reward yourself.

Losers visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success. ~ Unknown

Give yourself a treat or a break. Celebrate your decision to act! You deserve acknowledgement. 

Please share your favorite action tip. How do you motivate yourself?

Help me inspire others by sharing this article on Facebook or Twitter. I appreciate your help!

     

    Are you ready to commit to your dreams?

    Tess Marshall

    You can go beyond what you think is possible! The time is now to increase your confidence and blaze a new trail. If you are ready to do great things then book your free 20-minute consult with me and let’s talk about your personal plan for greatness! Click on my coaching page.

    { 7 comments… read them below or add one }

    Patrik Edblad August 12, 2013 at 5:38 am

    Love this list, Tess! Its amazing how much you can accomplish if you stick to those 3 most important tasks and focus on constantly taking the next tiny step toward where you want to go.

    Motivating yourself is about figuring out what you truly want and then reminding yourself every day of how your daily work is related to your overall “why”, your vision and your goals.

    Watching inspiring TED talks and reading awesome blogs like this doesn’t hurt either.

    Keep up the good work :)
    Patrik Edblad´s last post…5 Steps to Make Sure You’re On The Right Path in Life

    Reply

    Tess August 12, 2013 at 7:03 am

    Patrik,
    Yes I love TED talks and blogs that inpsire me. My 3 most important tasks are ready to go!

    Reply

    Tess August 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Maxwell,
    Thanksfor the support. Just keep taking small steps and you’ll find those companies to add to your link pages. You can do it! Take Care:)

    Reply

    David Stevens August 12, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Nice work Tess,
    I’m feeling even more inspired!
    Be good to yourself
    David
    David Stevens´s last post…5 Goals for creating a better Life beyond 40

    Reply

    Cathy Taughinbaugh August 12, 2013 at 5:40 pm

    Love the quotes, Tess. Love your tips as well. They will help anyone and this would be one of those posts to print out so that you can read it once a day. Thanks. Your inspiration is so amazing and so needed!
    Cathy Taughinbaugh´s last post…How Positive Reinforcement Can Help Your Child Get Into Treatment

    Reply

    Elle August 12, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    Tips and quotes – my favourite things Tess and you do it so well. I would add for myself, taking 5 minutes in each hour to close my eyes and imagine my next outcome. All kinds of things happen when I do…I create space for greater creativity, I quiet that business of mind and I rest for a few minutes in that generous space of the heart.

    e-hugs
    Elle
    Elle´s last post…11 Do’s And Don’ts To Get Motivated…And Stay There

    Reply

    richmiraclefiles August 13, 2013 at 5:41 am

    Hi Tess,
    I like your commitment to work and the ideas behind getting cracking.
    I also believe in the importance of the critical first step.
    On the road to success,that first small step is the key ;and the one after that, and the one after that. Before you know, you’re standing on the pinnacle of success.

    Often the commoner will stop effort when he finds even a small obstacle en route to his goals .Instead all we need to do is only persist in the search for that missing link ,that small detail,that small turn of screw,that tiny change in the code ,that extra inch to reach the desired threshold.They say God lies in the details and this is only too true of success as well.
    Thanks
    Mona
    richmiraclefiles´s last post…NATURAL URGE ,UNNATURAL RESULTS; CONSTANT SEARCH FOR APPROVAL

    Reply

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