Be A Person Of Action

Who around you has become successful? Can you name off the traits that have helped them rise above the difficulties?

If you name them off, one of the traits of the successful person is that they are a person of action.

And if you want to be a successful leader, you’ll have to learn how to take action as well.

I am a person of action is the third decision in Andy Andrews’ book The Traveler’s Gift. I wrote about the two previous decisions in previous posts. They were I Will Seek Wisdom and The Buck Stops With Me.

Each decision in The Traveler’s Gift is a decision every leader should make. From taking personal responsibility to continuing to gain wisdom to choosing to be happy. Each decision will increase your value as a leader.

Will You Seek Wisdom?

Often, after graduating school, we put our quest for knowledge on hold or kill it altogether. We feel that we have it all figured out.

Well, we need to put a stop to that line of thinking. It’s going to get you nowhere fast as a leader.

I Will Seek Wisdom

I wrote about the first decision in The Traveler’s Gift last month. The second decision for success Andy Andrews mentions in the Traveler’s Gift is I Will Seek Wisdom.

What does this look like?

  • Reading Quality Material: Seek out wisdom in great books. There’s thousands of years worth of information contained in written form. It’s there for your taking. Pick up a book and learn the story of our history, the principles of great leaders, or the adventures of heroes no longer with us.

    As you consume quality reading material, you’ll gain wisdom. You’ll see the ways others have succeeded and led well. You’ll also see the failures of great men. Learn what you can from their mistakes.

The Buck Stops With You

Do you ever wonder why you’re where you are? How did you end up in your current position?

It’s easy to dismiss it as life passing us by and circumstances bringing us to where we are.

It’s easy but not true. The truth is you made choices that brought you to where you are.

That means the buck stops with you.

You Are Here sign

Image by Choko

This is a principle Andy Andrews talks about in his book The Traveler’s Gift.

The main protagonist asks:

Why Me?

He’s then given the answer. Every choice he’s made has led him to his current situation. His choice of:

  • schools to attend
  • companies to send resumes
  • company he worked for
  • where and what to eat
  • staying with the company when he could have retired early

Each choice led him closer and closer to this point in his life.