Written by Karen D. Swim
“Contemplation often makes life miserable. We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.”-Chamfort, French Playwright
This week, I spent a great deal of time learning. I read, participated in webcasts, teleseminars and soaked up wisdom from anyone willing to share it. I had the opportunity to interact with business leaders I respect and learn some of the techniques that have worked for them. Throughout the week I found validation for a long held belief of mine – The Secret is that there is no secret.
We are surrounded by people who have accomplished the things we want to do and are happy to share how they did it. Never before has information been so readily accessible. Yet so many continue to seek that one magic thing that will finally propel them to their dreams. The only difference between you and the people who have accomplished what you want to do is action.
As Brett so eloquently pointed out this week, you have to be a participant. Sitting on the sidelines and learning the rules is useless if you don’t take action. The masters, gurus and leaders can’t make it happen for you, no more than watching someone else work out will give you six pack abs. They can impart information, and share from their experience but then you have to take action.
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”–Leonardo da Vinci
Our life is very much like a garden. You must plant something in that patch of dirt before anything can bloom. Thinking about how you want the garden to look will not cause it to magically sprout plants. The seeds and the soil are the materials you need for a garden but you still must take the action of planting thm. You then of course have to tend to the garden by watering, fertilizing, and weeding to keep it in good shape.
The funny thing about taking action is that even that is not magical. You can get very excited about planting a garden and run out and buy seeds, fertilizer and garden tools. You can come home, load it all up in the yard and decide it’s too late to start planting that day. The next day, it’s too hot. The next day you have errands, a business trip, the kids have soccer practice. Before you know it, months have passed and you have the materials for a garden and no results.
You have to act and then keep taking action until your act becomes a habit. This is when the real magic happens.
Have you ever allowed excuses to stop the momentum of your action? How did you overcome it? Let’s talk about it and learn from one another! Add your two cents or nickel in the comments. 🙂
Hello Miley-Cyrus-Fan (I like her too!), thank you so much for stopping in and commenting. I am glad that you found the information useful, that means the world to me! Thanks!
hmm.. thank you very much. usefull information
I think it should be a balance. But of course, it’s up to the individual and what they need for their individual lives.
Sometimes too much doing is not good. And sometimes too much thinking is not good.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Archetypes and Symbols are for Everyone
Aww….dont’ listen to me, ladies. I got….ISSUES!
(That’s okay, though. The meds should kick in soon!) 🙂
In the mean time, I’m glad I can provide some entertainment!
Friars last blog post..Discussing Popular Culture with a Nine-Year-Old
Ha! Friar you are funny and I thought I’d skip the quote from Napoleon and go with a playwright instead. 🙂 Now here’s an interesting tidbit, I discovered a study that confirms my point about not overthinking decisions. I found it yesterday after this post was published and it’s an interesting read.
http://tinyurl.com/5kgjwx
@Brad, believe it or not although I appear impetuous I can also be extremely analytical too and have suffered from analysis paralysis so completely understand!
@Wendi, geez we’d be in trouble if we only applied quotes to the people to which originally directed. Some of my favorites are from football coaches. 🙂 Friar, Friar, Friar, this is why we love you so much! 🙂
Alright since you stuck your big spoon in that pot,
He was a PLAYRIGHT, perhaps the quote was directed at ACTORS and he was telling them to ACT more, THINK less ( always the death of a good performance) and stop watching ouselves live.- Just be–as in become the charactor.
It is always interesting to have these quotes plucked out of the universe…I wonder who and what he was exactly refering to! LOL!!
Friar, you are a funny, funny man.
Being rather analytical by nature, I have wasted many opportunities by debating with myself over what to do. Karen, your post and these commenters are really inspiring me, so thank you!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Are You Putting your Blog to Work?
Karen;
Okay, being the Friar that I am…I’m going to be a sh*t disturber and stir up the discussion
Interesting thing, when you consider the source of the quote
“We should act more, think less, and stop watching ourselves live.”-
…Chamfort was a PLAYWRIGHT, for crying out loud! 🙂
Wasn’t that the whole point of his career….writing stories so that we can watch others “live” their imaginary lives on a stage?
His other quote was probably “Do as I say…not as I do.” 🙂
@John, thanks!
@Wendi, I keep forgetting you are a grandma! LOL! I have to say you grandmas are right!
@Brett, oh boy do I know that story! Blogging helps us all to walk the talk doesn’t it? Thank you my kilted wonder friend for always supporting, and encouraging and occasionally giving me the kick I need. 🙂
@John M, thanks for visiting from that link! love your energy! I think the key is maintaining balance and matching action with your core values and passions. Unfortunately you can’t do everything and if you try you’re sure to neglect other areas, like yourself. 🙂
@Steph, my sister in solidarity, thank you! 🙂
What Brett said! 🙂
Great post!
-S
Wow! You make some great points. I get excited about other peoples businesses. In Michigan, I want to see more businesses start. However, I might take on a bit too much from time to time. So I wonder how this under promise and over deliver mantra fits into the mix.
I am glad I saw the post on LinkedIn!
Karen,
Thanks for the pingback and more importantly thanks for an insightful piece today.
I was (and from time to time, still am) guilty of this. I could probably quote word for word just about every productivity tip out there, for the last two years or so (I became interested in it, and still follow it).
Yet – all the productivity tips in the world amount to nothing if you don’t use them. And the person who simply DOES SOMETHING without any knowledge of this stuff is miles ahead of someone who memorizes 7 Habits (or whatever) and then does nothing…
Luckily we have a great bunch out here to keep us honest 😉
-Brett
Brett Legrees last blog post..viking fridays – the ignorant man.
Boy isn’t that the simple truth. Until you actually get out there and DO it nothing changes. There is that action word again.
I remember my grandma saying “Well dreamin’ aint flying.”
I used to look at her like “OK grandma, whatever…”
hmmm, people should listen to us grandmothers more often I think. 🙂
Hi Karen
Nicely put… here-here!