It’s Time to Take Action

We all have dreams and ideas. Maybe it’s a list of goals that are stated in a way that makes them more achievable. Some of us keep them to themselves and some share their ideas with friends or family. In search of motivation and inspiration we turn to those who are ready to help. It’s our support system.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

But how do we support ourselves? How do we ensure our own success? 

It takes time to shape our dreams and create the steps that will lead to success. It’s doesn’t happen overnight. We make it happen ourselves by being prepared and ready. However there are goals that we somehow keep for life. After a while they become just a wishful thinking. We talk about them, think about them but no tangible results are ever achieved.

We don’t take action.

“I really want to get fit”
“I have an idea for my own business”
“Work takes up so much of my time. I must re-evaluate priorities in my life”

These are just a few ideas that I heard from my friends recently… again!, because the first time they talked about them was 3 years ago. Don’t we all have these? Usually these statements are followed by a list of excuses that are all perfectly valid, unquestionable and more than anything else they provide a peace of mind. We didn’t achieve our goal yet because all of these other things (people, time, money or other obstacles!) were in the way. It’s not as if we were doing nothing!

Maybe everyone listening, will be nodding in agreement “You’re right, life is so busy and unpredictable”. Gaining their agreement, for a minute or two, we believe our own words. “I’ve been so busy”.

But our internal voice holds the key. There will be no results if there is no action and deep down inside we know that we simply didn’t put in the effort necessary to turn our dreams into reality. Usually the longer we postpone it the “uglier” the goal looks. Instead of a vision of an amazing future, it becomes a constant reminder of what “we should have done” but didn’t do.

It takes 20 years to make an overnight success. Eddie Cantor

It might be a hard pill to swallow to admit that we haven’t done enough, that there is no one or nothing else to blame. Knowing that, is a step towards ownership and honouring our own word. Not because we said it to someone else but because we promised it to ourselves and it’s time to deliver.

So after 1 year, 3 years or 5 years of knowing and talking, it’s time to start doing. Whatever your steps, take one at the time. Understand clearly the reasons why you want to get where you want to get and embark on a journey. Take risks that will energize you and keep you going. Whatever your excuses, you have used them all. It’s time to take action. You know what to do. Make it happen. You owe it to yourself.

Author : Joanna Sobczak