Taking Action

Just as we might gain new insight into where we are really heading by looking at what we are really reading, watching, and listening to, and we can see what is happening with our bodies by looking at what we are eating.

So too, our actions will shape our outcomes this next year.

Just as we review what influences are growing in our life, what actions are we taking? Do we put on our profiles that we enjoy hiking even though we have not done so in quite a while? So maybe our first action is to revise that statement to say enjoy walking, and then get up every day and do it.

Even on the days when we might feel lazy, notice that feeling, then get up and get going anyway. Even if we start modestly and just walk for a half hour, it contributes to our health. Then after a while of half hour walks, a one hour walk does not seem like too much. And then maybe one day, we will feel like hiking again, going up and down mountain or woodland trails for hours. But for now, simply adjusting the truth of our statements to the truth of our actions is enough.

When I was recovering from a heart attack 10 years ago, I had to begin my recovery by walking 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening the first day. Then 6 minutes in the morning and 6 minutes in the evening the second day. Then 7 minutes in the morning and 7 minutes in the evening the third day. And so on until after one month, I could get up to 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. Every little bit of action contributes to the big picture, to the goal, to better health.

If one of our goals is to change jobs or change careers, we can take action by doing at least one thing to make that dream real. If we make one contact, research one opportunity, make on appointment or one inquiry, every day we step closer to our goal.

Each success is made up of taking one step after another, always looking for ways to achieve our goals, make our dreams come true. So making the transition may seem to be a large task, but every day that we add to our knowledge and make another contact and meet with another person or send off a sample or take some other action, that sharpens our focus and brings the result within reach.

Positive thinking is part of this process, but it requires action to be really effective. When we are taking action steps, we are also visualizing ourselves in the picture of our success. Being realistic about what we will do and then approaching it one step at a time will make dreams come true.

What do you want? What steps will you take to get there?