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Written by Karen D. Swim
If you do nothing, nothing will happen. It is such a simple truth yet one that we persist in trying to prove wrong. We whine about our jobs, but will not do anything to change our situation. We want more from our business but do nothing to make it happen. I suppose magic fairies could make all our dreams come true but is that really the life strategy you want to employ?
I get it, I really do. Doing is sometimes scary (ask me about the nausea I felt at releasing my first info product) but doing nothing should have you quaking in your boots.
You see the funny thing about doing something is that sometimes magic does happen but it favors the prepared. What’s the purpose of faith if you never put it in action. What good are dreams when you never make plans to make them happen?
There have been many times in my own life when I’ve needed a little nudge (or heave) to take that first step. Today, it’s your turn. Do something, you may be surprised at how much better it feels than doing nothing at all.
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@ Jaden, lol! Yea darn fairies are so unreliable! You are so right, the minute we do something things begin to happen. Pinch me the next time I forget, okay? 🙂
Those fairies sure caught my attention. What could she possibly be writing with regards to fairies, I wondered.
Yes, I just have to say that I am in awe of the MAGICK that happens when I do DO SOMETHING. Taking that first step, everything seems to fall in place, and the universe screams with joy: yes, yes, keep going, keep going. It’s awesome.
It’s like people are sitting in a puddle of mud complaining, when right next to them is the yellow brick road that leads to the fountain of youth and a cherries rainbow; all a person has to do is stand up and walk out of the mud, but the fear of the unknown paralyzes them.
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I’ve been thinking along these lines myself lately. I’m too busy, too stressed, put too much demand on myself, but have I done much to relieve any of the pressure? Not yet. If you would, please loan me your pack of gnomes for a week?
Thanks for the kick in the butt.
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@ Janice, whoo hoo! There is something wonderful about saying it out loud, with a big fat gulp, butterflies in tummy. I am cheering you on from the sidelines and preparing for the victory celebration. I’ll bring the chocolates. 🙂
@Jamie, ROFL! I cried from laughing so hard! Sign me up for a pack of gnomes please! LOL!
@Melissa, it can be especially tough when someone constantly complains and you offer help and resources but they just keep complaining rather than doing. I have learned that in spite of the “pain” they feel they’re not yet ready for the cure. They have to get to a point where the pain is so bad that they’re ready and that threshold is very individual.
I have to admit – I’m always baffled by people who complain about their situation but do nothing about it, but I’m also impressed by folks who do something to make a positive change. It’s not always easy but it’s almost always worth it to try.
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Do not hire fairies. You will regret it.
Fairies are notorious for showing up late and cutting out early. They also charge outrageous prices, trying to pass off their handiwork for that of elves regardless of their clearly inferior craftsmanship (when they do anything at all). They also steal babies and are known to enchant people just for the fun of it.
You can tell the people who hire fairies to do their work. They’re the ones in meetings who read all the text on all the slides instead of providing real value. That’s a typical enchantment.
In the end, it’s probably best to handle the work yourself. Unless, of course, you can find some first rate gnomes. They’re cheaper by the dozen and you can always feed them to the cat if they fail to deliver on time. 🙂
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How appropriate!
I am updating my resume ( mass groan out there) this week, updating the submissions packet that is a requirement for my field…(huge personal groan.) Very mundane, a regular task, and not near as fun as painting.
But I want that gallery on Canyon Road that expressed an interest.
So big gulp and to work I go. And I said it out loud. Aughhh.
No fairies around that I can see.
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@Roland, I read that post by Seth and loved it. It can be a bit painful to read but it’s true. It really made me think. I think when we are in the act of making excuses we don’t always realize it, wouldn’t you agree? It seems that it is only after the light bulb turns on we come to grips with what we have been doing.
@Alex, I have faith in you! The daily writing is such a great habit and you don’t have to create a masterpiece every day, just write. I hope you’ll share any tips you uncover along the way. 🙂
@Shari, Yay! I’m cheering with you because doing something is a victory. I think sometimes we also get caught in feeling as though the action needs to be grand but taking one step is all that is needed.
@Joanna, thanks! The line kept knocking around in my head. Yes, the new product is out. 🙂 I’m still nervous but I did it!
@Karl, I love what you said about luck not being created! There is another saying “chance favors the prepared mind.” So true, isn’t it? Releasing a new product is scary. I’m glad I went through the process as I now realize how it takes you out of your comfort zone. Any tips to share? I could use a few. 🙂
I’ve been there with the pain of releasing a new product. The self doubt, the worry, and the waiting. It is all a part of stepping outside our comfort zone and making good things happen. Luck is created not dropped on to our laps.
Great post! We can’t be guided by our fear, but by our love of what we do.
Hi Karen
Of so true (on may accounts, even the scary bits). In our business we try to follow this as best as possible, even if the ‘signs’ are opposite – news of economic down-turn etc – scary, you bet. Necessity: you bet even more!
(and just sold another floor because of ongoing, continuous unrelenting honest marketing ;-))
Karin H (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
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Karen, I love this post but in particular the first line. If you do nothing nothing will happen.
As you say, that can be safe in the short term… suffocating in the long term.
PS Is the new product out?
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Karen, this is a nice reminder to do something. I agree that doing nothing is a much scarier proposition than trying. It’s what I keep in mind whenever I hear the fear saying “Don’t do anything.”
I’ve already started by posting early this morning to have time to spend entertaining my guest. It’s a good feeling to keep up with the tasks I set for myself.
Thanks for the inspiring words.
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Karen, first of all, belated happy birthday! I had a reminder set in my calendar, but for some reason I stayed away from the computer this weekend 🙁
It’s really funny reading this post after going to a quite similar stream of thoughts on Friday and deciding to put more effort into doing instead of whining 🙂
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I’ve been working my way through Dave Navarro and Naomi Dunford’s Launch the *@#$ out of your ebook and doing a bunch of research that I would never normally do (Research? Ick! That’s why I avoided the PhD!)
It’s actually much simpler than I thought and a whole lot of help in figuring out what I want to do.
Another thing I’m going to start today. Thanks to a remember from Brett at 6weeks.ca I’m going to get back to fiction writing with 20 minutes a day – one or two pages only. I’m going to try for consistency – something I’ve never been that good at.
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Karen, this post is totally correct. And it just reminded me of a Seth Godin post In the Mood
I can attest to both points. We are not in the mood, we don’t feel like it, we are afraid.
But most of all we are not in the mood.
To take risk, to go out, to endure the inconvenience or the lack of comfort.
However, we are always in the mood to make excuses.
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