I discussed in my blog why a creative, conscious, and growth mindset is a profound combination in discovering your true self. However, action will define how quickly and far you go in quest of your goals. #neverarrive
A positive mindset, intellect, and desire to achieve are all essential starting points. But nothing is going to happen unless you take definite action. Many people have great ideas but how quickly you plan and execute them is what matters.
In his famous book, Think & Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill notes, “Men who succeed reach decisions promptly and change them, if at all, very slowly. Men who fail, to reach decisions, if at all, very slowly and change them frequently and quickly. Indecision and procrastination are twin brothers.”
Hill further emphasizes the importance of action, “When the plans appear, they will probably “flash” into your mind through the sixth sense, in the form of an “inspiration.” This inspiration may be considered a direct “telegram,” or message from Infinite Intelligence. Treat it with respect, and act upon it as soon as you receive it. Failure to do this will be fatal to your success.”
Generally, most people keep delaying action by arguing that they are perfecting the plan or waiting for the right time for execution. There is no perfect plan or timing. Trust me! Life throws unexpected obstacles. The only way to keep on track is to take account of the situation, adapt, and improvise. No matter what, the key is to keep moving forward. You may have heard; fail fast and fall forward! Implement it. Imagine what can go wrong and create backup plans. Don’t be afraid to stop, rethink, strategize again, and start over. Remember, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Calvin Coolidge, former U.S. President, said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
Talent provides a head start and could make you good at analysis, generating ideas, and creating plans. However, talent alone can get you started and put you ahead of others, but it might not take you far. In contrast, people with an attitude toward relentless action to develop skills and determination to complete whatever they pursue make them unstoppable. Remember that situations arising from your actions are temporary, but a lousy attitude lingers forever and is detrimental to any talent or dream you may have.
In his book Relentless, Tim Grover categorizes people into coolers, closers, and cleaners. He summarizes, “In a Cooler, an idea will travel from his brain to his mouth—he will talk about it, discuss it, share it with others for feedback and approval. In a Closer, it travels farther down toward his gut but is diverted toward his heart, where it becomes slowed down by emotion and more thought. In a Cleaner, a thought moves straight to the gut, where instinct takes over and puts it into immediate action.”
The people who prioritize action are the ones who change the rules of the game and move the world forward. They will inevitably make mistakes or encounter hurdles. However, they are not disheartened. Instead, they take them as experience, learn from them and implement the lesson. You can find such people in every walk of life, including sports, arts, and business. Imagine an elite team of soldiers, a sports team at a national/international level, or an executive team of a company. These people have immense talent, which is why they are among the very tiny group of the best of the best. However, to excel even from there is all about the actions and work ethic that formulates attitude.
I learned this lesson more than 13 years ago from a simple day at work. I always had good ideas but wasted too much time discussing them and seeking unnecessary validation from people, which I knew I did not need (cooler mentality). This helped me waste too many good opportunities. Part of it was because of the scarcities I faced, which created a fear of losing (at least how I defended my inability to act at the time). Fast forward, I worked at a research firm in India, and we used to research and prepare deliverables for global banks and MNCs.
My approach was to find the best information and present it meticulously in a perfectionist style.I kept researching, reading page after page, and wasting time. In contrast, my friend Ashish Jain will immediately put pen to paper. While I’m still thinking and strategizing, he is already way ahead in making notes and creating a rough sketch of the deliverable. He will do research and adjust notes and his outline repeatedly. He ended up adding the most value to the project every time.
This was life-changing for me, a lesson I apply now to every task at hand, irrespective of work-related or personal goals. Since that day, it has always been only about action for me. This strategy has burnt me many times, but the rewards are tremendous. You feel the ownership and control of your ship.
The manifestation of ideas and the organized plan of action have helped me overcome several challenges and achieve different objectives. Every time I achieve something, it feels like there is more fuel in my tank (#neverarrive). Most recently, I took up a challenge to open my book of life and share my experiences with you. It was difficult to begin, given my work obligations and vulnerability in sharing my story. However, here I’m. I have launched my own website (www.boundlessanurag.com) and shared my experiences over three months through my blogs.
In summary, making quick decisions and acting on them with a positive and never-give-up mindset will make you truly unstoppable.
Do not waste even a minute not acting on your calling. That’s a sin. #neverarrive #limitlesspotential
I’m grateful for your time in reading this blog. In the comments section, let me know your experience and perspective on the subject. Please share the blog with your friends if you enjoyed reading it.
