Getting Over The Hump: How to stop sitting and start taking
action
Have you been sitting there right at the cusp of taking action
on a particular project but still haven't gotten started? How
long has it been since you originally had the kernel of that new
idea spring forth up until this point? Has it been a few hours,
days, weeks or longer?
If you're like most people, it's been longer -- much longer. In
fact, most people never get over the hump of beginning. Even
those of us who are involved in product production periodically
have the procrastination problem when it comes to certain
aspects of our business.
What is it that makes us delay? We know we shouldn't. We know
that sitting around or avoiding the task at hand will not lead
to the desired results we seek. There must be something going on
with our thinking that isn't quite right. What might this thing
be?
One of the key reasons for procrastination is the deep down
belief that the task we're about to undertake will not succeed.
After all, if we believed that it would succeed, wouldn't we be
incredibly motivated to take action? I believe we would. I think
we all do take action when we know the outcome will be
successful.
Take an example: If I know that I can earn X amount each day by
just going to my job, and this is pretty much guaranteed even if
putting in the minimum, will I continue to go to my job? Yes,
more than likely. This is the dreaded "Not uncomfortable enough
to change" syndrome. But I keep doing it because I've proven to
myself from experience that it works; at least it works
satisfactorily enough.
We also get caught up in the "Preparation Syndrome". We've all
heard of it, and some of us have different names for it, such
as: Analysis of paralysis; thinking too much; or overanalyzing,
etc. But it is a daily rut many land in despite their objective
knowledge of its reality and the benefit of staying away from
it. Once again, why is this?
Knowledge is an interesting distinction in itself, but most
people do not separate knowledge from action adequately enough.
Simply having the knowledge of facts has proven insufficient to
achieve results throughout history. The sooner we all convince
ourselves that simply having knowledge is adequate to obtain
results, the sooner we each as individuals will be able to move
on to the next logical conclusion and increase our chances of
success.
So I say, "Knowledge is NOT power". I've decided this for myself
long ago. Perhaps you have now also done the same.
So what is it? What is "knowledge"? Simply, it is a prerequisite
to power and results.
So our next logical conclusion leads us to one we've probably
already heard many times. "Knowledge is power when acted upon".
Much closer to reality by far I'd say. The only problem is it
leaves a lot of room for interpretation of what action is. In
fact, most failures in business and life are in the area of
"how" we acted once we've decided to finally act.
Once again, most people don't act. They never even begin. Those
who do only do so for a little while and in a half hearted
manner at that. Then fewer still who do actually act
consistently for long enough to see some results may not be
acting in a manner that will ultimately bring results.
This is exciting news! This distinction is actually meant to
encourage you to understand that if you wish to see results long
term, the first step on that journey is to get over that first
hump of beginning as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the
sooner you will begin to inculcate the habit of action and can
move on to the second phase of consistency. Most individuals
will still not be acting in effective ways for lack of
experience, but this is fine! This is a time period when
creating the habit and skills are more important than the actual
results of that action.
And this is the exciting message here within. Get over that
hump. Learn to build at least one habit that will benefit you
long term and will eventually bring true rewards. Pick something
and begin. Then continue. You'll enjoy the progress you can
naturally make each day much more than trying to continue
thinking and planning and not making progress. I can assure you
of that.
There is of course much ground to cover with regards to what I
alluded to before concerning people still not acting in a manner
that brings results, but we all bring results in accord with our
level of expertise, and sitting and thinking 'about' something
is not the same as doing and learning from the activity.
Start now. You'll be over your hump as soon as you do.