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.
Today, I want to focus on I Am A Person Of Action.
Why Being A Person Of Action Is Difficult
I don’t know if there’s a more difficult decision than to be a person of action. Even though it’s such a simple concept, it’s something I struggle with. It’s probably something you struggle with as well.
The question I keep returning to is Why is this so hard to do? What’s holding me back from taking action?
In the end, I come to the conclusion that fear makes this decision so hard. Fear is a liar and tells us many things.
- You won’t make a difference
- You will fail
- You will mess up
Over and over we hear these thoughts inside of our head. It’s like a CD stuck on repeat playing the same depressing song.
And these fears hold us back from taking action.
We’ve got to overcome these fears. One great resource I’ve found was Julien Smith’s book The Flinch. You can pick it up for free at Amazon by clicking here.
Until we overcome our fears, our leadership will suffer.
Why Being A Person Of Action Is Important
Andy used David Ponder’s meeting with Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain to drive home the reason leaders must be willing to take action. Chamberlain’s men were short on ammo and men. He had to make a choice. In The Traveler’s Gift he chose to rush the advancing army. Taking this action led to victory for him and his men.
Had he decided not to take action, there was a good chance him and his men would have been overrun by the enemy. But this did not happen as he was a person of action.
While you may not be facing down an advancing army, you are facing a ticking clock. Every moment you hold out on making a decision is a moment you’ll never get back. Time is ticking away.
When you make a choice to take action, you’re making a choice to move forward and discover whether or not something will work. You’re making progress.
Making progress leads to accomplishing goals. It leads to success.
This is why you must be a person of action. Without action, you won’t accomplish anything.
You won’t take a chance at the game winning shot. You won’t ask the pretty girl to marry you. You won’t step up and ask for the promotion. You won’t experience the exhilaration of catching a big wave.
You must be willing to take action.
Becoming A Person Of Action
Taking action takes courage. We must begin to face our fears and move past the debilitating affects they bring upon us.
You can become a person of action by:
- Facing your fears: Examine your life. Look for areas you’re fearful in. What are they? Do you have them? Good, now make a list of what your fears are. Next begin to take small steps towards facing one of those fears. It doesn’t have to be a big fear, a small one will do. In fact, it’s probably better at the beginning. Once you have the fear in your mind, take steps to face the fear. Once you’ve faced the first fear, face another. And then another. Soon fear will no longer hold you back from being a person of action.
- Try new things: Challenge yourself on a daily or weekly basis to try something new. Make sure it’s an activity that will cause you to step out of your comfort zone. Maybe it’s talking to a neighbor you’ve never met. Could it be driving a different route home? Breaking routines and giving yourself the freedom to try something new will encourage as you begin the journey to take action.
When you become a person of action, you’ll notice new doors opening. Opportunities you never thought possible will begin to “magically” fall into your lap. Except you’ll know it’s not magic.
The opportunities come to you because you’ve decided to take action. Why?
Because people see you’re willing to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. People who are excelling will see your initiative and drive. Your willingness to take action. And they’ll invite you to join in the journey.
Let today be the day you decide to be a person of action. See where it takes you. I’m positive you won’t be disappointed.
Question: What are three areas you need to take action in today? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below. And then go take action.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.