There's a Chinese proverb that goes like this: "Talk doesn't cook rice." Often we spend so much time talking or thinking or planning that we never get around to acting on our intentions. We get stuck in the quagmire of doubt and perfectionism and distractions, and that stops us from moving forward. So, to help propel you from inaction to accomplishment, focus on what's really important. Here are some tips to help you get cooking.
1. Dont overthink. Its good to have a clear picture of where youre going or why, but too much thinking can be paralyzing. Don't overthink, just do.
2. Forget perfection. Perfectionism is the enemy of action. Kill it, immediately. You cant let perfect stop you from doing. You can turn a bad draft into a good one, but you cant turn no draft into a good draft. So get going.
3. Dont mistake motion for action. A common mistake. A fury of activity doesnt mean youre doing anything. When you find yourself moving too quickly, doing too many things at once, this is a good reminder to stop. Slow down. Focus.
4. Focus on the important. Clear the distractions. Pick the one most important thing you must do today, and focus on that. Exclusively. When youre done with that, repeat the process.
5. Move slowly, consciously. Be deliberate. Action doesnt need to be done fast. In fact, that often leads to mistakes, and while perfection isnt at all necessary, neither is making a ridiculous amount of mistakes that could be avoided with a bit of consciousness.
6. Take small steps. Biting off more than you can chew will kill the action. Maybe because of choking, I dunno. But small steps always works. Little tiny blows that will eventually break down that mountain. And each step is a victory, that will compel you to further victories.
7. Negative thinking gets you nowhere. Seriously, stop doing that. Self doubt? The urge to quit? Telling yourself that its OK to be distracted and that you can always get to it later? Squash those thoughts. Well, OK, you can be distracted for a little bit, but you get the idea. Positive thinking, as corny as it sounds, really works. Its self-talk, and what we tell ourselves has a funny habit of turning into reality.
8. Meetings arent action. This is a common mistake in management. They hold meetings to get things done. Meetings, unfortunately, almost always get in the way of actual doing. Stop holding those meetings!
9. Talking (usually) isnt action. Well, unless the action you need to take is a presentation or speech or something. Or youre a television broadcaster. But usually, talking is just talking. Communication is necessary, but dont mistake it for actual action.
10. Planning isnt action. Sure, you need to plan. Do it, so youre clear about what youre doing. Just do it quickly, and get to the actual action as quickly as you can.
11. Reading about it isnt action. Youre reading an article about action. Ironic, I know. But let this be the last one. Now get to work!
12. Sometimes, inaction is better. This might be the most ironic thing on the list, but really, if you find yourself spinning your wheels, or you find youre doing more harm than good, rethink whether the action is even necessary. Or better yet, do this from the beginning is it necessary? Only do the action if it is.
