Decision without Action is Futile
I’ve heard many quotes or guidance around the importance of making a decision... “The difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person is that one of them made a decision.”... and others like this.
Yes, we all need to make decisions and choices. Difficult or easy. Every day.
But my friend, making a decision alone doesn’t get results or resolution.
You have to take action.
Sure, be thoughtful and rational, but my guess is you’re already a thoughtful and rational person.
Psychologically, you’re actually putting yourself in a catabolic (energy draining) state if you make a decision and don’t take action.
Do you spend time ruminating on what you’re going to do next? Fearful of what will happen when you do take action? Worried you won’t take the right action? Trying to figure out exactly how it’s going to impact everyone or what people will think?
All of this mental chatter you may not even realize is going on is a pure energy drain. This actually creates a pattern of limiting beliefs that you can’t trust your own decisions or that you don’t deserve what will come once you take action aligned to your beliefs and decisions.
And I get it! All of these questions and fears are valid. But you won’t know what will happen or get to experience the benefits of the decision you have made until you take action.
The good news is, you don’t have to have it all figured out.
The trick is to just take the next right step. One action, big or small, that feels right.
Think about it… what’s one thing you’ve decided but haven’t taken action on yet?
Maybe you’ve wanted to explore a new career opportunity? Make a bold move? Exit a relationship? Have a difficult conversation with someone in your life? Start dating again? Set boundaries at work? Even as simple as planning a trip you’ve been wanting to take?
You’ve made the decision. Yes! This is what I want to do…
And then, you’ve thought long and hard about what you’re going to do about it.
And maybe you’ve deeply analyzed allll the scenarios that could occur once you take that action. How it will impact other people. What others will think. How it could make you vulnerable. How you might fail. How it might impact your resources. I mean, the list is endless. Our minds can come up with all sorts of scenarios.
But the truth is that you don’t know. No one knows.
Is it time to take the risk and find out?
Mindfulness in Action:
Consider a decision you’ve made but haven’t yet acted on.
Write down 3 actions you could take to make that decision a reality.
If you have my Values Workbook, pull that bad boy out, and simply circle which one action best aligns with your own values. (and if you don’t have it and want a free copy, just email me).
If you aren’t clear on your values (which I highly recommend getting clear on) simply circle the action that feels right. Maybe it’s the easiest one, or better yet, maybe it’s the scariest one.
Get out your calendar or favorite reminder tool of choice, and put a reminder in that by Sunday, you will have taken this one step.
Consider what might get in the way of your one action and develop a contingency plan.
If you’re in this situation, you’re wasting precious brain power and energy sitting in a stagnant ruminating phase that is not good for you.
Your worries and hesitations are likely valid. AND you deserve to find out what’s going to happen when you take a step toward your goals and decisions.
What are you committing to do this week to stop the analysis paralysis and start getting shit done?
If you want to chat about how to establish a safety net when your mind starts going into any worst-case-scenario zones, shoot me an email (elizabeth@elizabethstjohn.co) and I’m happy to chat. You don’t have to do this on your own and a little support can go a long way.
I want the best for you. You friends and family want the best for you. No one knows what will happen (even if you think you do) so this is your invitation to go for it.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
Cheers,
Elizabeth