One of the characteristics that distinguishes the successful in life and business from their less successful counterparts is their bent for action. Successful people tend to take more, better and smarter actions. But most of all they act now rather than at some wished-for point in time. A couple of recent examples brought this point home in a powerful way.

I was talking with someone a couple weeks ago who was in a state of overwhelm. She had hired an assistant to help her enter her contacts into a Palm Pilot. And while that was a very positive first step, she still had no idea how to operate her handheld device. Without asking what she was waiting for, I simply said to her, "Let's get you up and running on it right now." Fifteen minutes later she was delighted to have learned 90% of what she would need to make use of this time-saving tool. The key ingredient? You guessed it: action.

A client told me about an experience she had recently when she hired a personal assistant to help her organize papers and files at home. She also happened to mention to the woman that she wanted to reorganize her clothes closet. The assistant's response: "Let's do it now." And an hour later, my client was thrilled to have her closet neatly organized. Once again, the difference was action.

Several times a year I offer a four-hour planning workshop called Best Year Yet(R), which gives participants an opportunity to create a one-year goal plan for their lives and businesses.* Consistently the participants walk out of the program fired up and ready to make great things happen. Yet that enthusiasm quickly fades unless they take some action in short order to start moving ahead on the goals they set. I offer all participants a free one-hour coaching session (valued at about $175) following the workshop. Less than 20% take advantage of it, but not surprisingly, the 20% who take that action are the same 20% who actually report back later that they are having (or have had) their best year ever. Why? Because they got in action.

Have you been waiting for something to change in order for you to get in action on a dream, goal or project? Maybe it's better weather. Maybe you're waiting until you "feel like it." Maybe you think there is something else you need to do to "get ready" to get in action. At the end of the day, it's action that separates the great from the good, the good from the mediocre and the mediocre from the failure. It's action, consistently taken toward whatever you dream of, that turns dreams into reality.

In his book One Small Step Can Change Your Life, author Robert Maurer, devotes one entire chapter to "taking small actions." Everything from weight loss and exercise to saving money or kicking a bad habit like smoking begin with one small step, repeated enough times to build confidence, competence and momentum.

This week I invite you to get in action. Take a step on that project you've been procrastinating on. Remove 10 pieces of paper from your desk. Return a phone call you're avoiding. Eliminate something you no longer need, use or want. Enroll in the class you've promised yourself you'll take. Start an exercise program by walking up a flight or stairs or parking at the back of the parking lot. The size of the action doesn't matter. Taking it does. What are you waiting for?

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Quote of the Week
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"When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Don't look for the big, quick improvement. See the small improvements one day at a time. That's the only way it happens--and when it happens, it lasts."

~~John Wooden
Award-winning UCLA basketball coach

Betty Mahalik has been coaching small business owners, independent professionals and leaders who want to achieve more but stress less, since 1996. Her background includes several years in the broadcasting and public relations fields prior to starting her own firm in 1987. She is an accomplished public speaker and corporate trainer specializing in communications, goal-setting and leveraging your strengths. Since 2001, she has written a weekly motivational message, free to subscribers, titled Monday Morning Coach.