Embracing Change and Action

Embracing Change and Action

If you want to achieve your goals, you need to shift from dreaming into doing. Many people are afraid of this shift, simply because of the change that will inevitably follow. However, if you want to be successful, avoiding change is no longer an option. It’s not a “nice to have” skill–it’s a “need to have” skill. Those who aren’t willing to embrace change will find themselves ultimately unsatisfied and left behind. Here are a few simple things you can do to put your goals into action and prepare yourself for the change that will follow.

Identify Your Motivators

Start by exploring your intrinsic vs extrinsic motivators. Intrinsic motivation refers to those heartfelt desires from deep down inside that drive you. These actions seek rewards that are naturally satisfying, like developing healthy habits, building stronger relationships, or developing a passion. Extrinsic motivation is based on factors outside of yourself. You pursue extrinsic goals to attain rewards like money, status, or a good reputation. Both intrinsic and extrinsic goals are worthwhile, so long as you understand the difference and avoid chasing empty, unfulfilling goals.

Let Go of Perfection

Many people avoid certain tasks or delay going after goals because they want everything to be perfect immediately. However, when you strive for perfection, you beat yourself up over every little mistake and put off dealing with difficult problems out of a fear of failure. You must be able and willing to fail in order to try new things and ultimately effect change.   Leadership guru John Maxwell has said, “The more you do, the more you fail. The more you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn, the better you get.”

Taking action requires you to let go of “perfect”. It means giving yourself room to make mistakes and to learn and grow from them. Understanding perfectionism as a cause of procrastination can help you recognize those habits and work through them.

Think Through Your Entire Journey

Your plan doesn’t just involve the end result, it involves the journey as well. Mentally go through the steps it will take to get to your end vision. By doing so, your mind will automatically start solving problems it finds along the way. Once you know where you’re going, possibilities begin to appear. The key is to then translate those possibilities into action, as that is when you produce the real fruit of your labor and move closer to the end goal.

Remember, without action, all you have are ideas. Until you begin taking action and creating change, you will never be able to attain your goals. As you identify your motivators, let go of perfectionism, and think through your journey, you’ll be able to realize the steps you need to take and fully embrace the change coming your way.

 

8 Replies to “Embracing Change and Action”

  1. Thanks this was a good article to remind us on the importance of doing, not being afraid to fail. Thanks very much – Cevin 😀

  2. This is such a good article. It describes exactly what I am going through right now with a major project. It was just the right motivation that I needed to get back on track.
    Thank you!

  3. This is a good mind conditioner for me; I have been distracted this week with pain of betrayal; I was taken advantage by a friend; a handyman who apparently had no skills; nor experience; I was blindsided; however I am fully responsible for this; since I didn’t do a full investigation; checking his references before handing over the project. This article not directly apply to my challenge but I have been inspired to move on.
    Thank you for connecting me to what is really important for effectiveness.

  4. Hyrum Smith came to Ft. Lauderdale, FL (1989) as a guest speaker with Franklin Day Planner (now FranklinCovey). Choices were offered as to which seminar I could attend. I immediately chose the Time Management option. Around that time in Birmingham, AL, another opportunity came when Bob Harrison was scheduled to speak. Eventually, Bob got around to telling us the most significant key to success in business. He dragged out his introduction and eventually revealed the key–Change! That really made a difference business-wise and spiritually. Along with the influence of Earl Nightingale, Tony Robbins, and other greats, the “attitude of change” significantly impacted my future. I attribute my time doubled with the company I worked for and radical change as a former pulpit minister within my spiritual heritage to the attitude of change. Even “God who changes not” is the God of change.

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