Monday, December 16, 2013

Guest Post: If not now, when?

The biggest challenge people face when they are looking to improve their lives is getting started. Reading about self-improvement, or learning about the tools required to live a better life means nothing if you don’t utilize those tools.

One of the greatest causes for failure when it comes to personal development is simply a failure to act.
Listed here are a few reasons to act, they are posted to help you realize that the time is NOW; not tomorrow, not next week, and not after you have accomplished something else! So take a moment to read them and then move forward on your journey!

There is no change without action.
Sure, reading about personal development or positive living can make you feel good at the time, but without action the knowledge itself is somewhat useless. Your situation will stay the same unless you make the move to change it!

There is no one that can do it for you.
The harsh reality of life is that unless you make the choice to change you never will. No one, and nothing, can do it for you. If you want a better life it is you that has to create it. Period.

Lessons are best learned through actions.
When you make mistakes you learn lessons. Through actions you will learn what works and what doesn’t. There is no better way to learn that by doing, it can teach you things you wouldn’t learn any other way.

It makes you feel good.
Our self-esteem can have a huge impact on whether we take action towards our goals, but the best way to combat this issue is through action. It is somewhat of a double-edged sword in the sense that when you don’t act you feel bad, but you feel too bad to take action. Still, it is more likely that you will regret not doing something to change the situation. Taking action towards your goals makes you feel good. It raises your self-esteem, and it encourages you to move forward. It will make you happier overall and increase your confidence in a way that nothing else can measure up to.

Every small step counts.
Every small step you take brings you closer to your ultimate goal. If you make an effort to complete one action each day, even a tiny one, you are that much closer to accomplishing your bigger goal. Reward yourself for each small success as a way to encourage forward momentum. Keep track of each little accomplishment so you can see how they tie into the bigger picture.

If not now, when?
This is a common question asked by motivational speakers, and when it comes to personal development it is the question; one that you should be asking yourself every single day. If we wait for the ‘perfect’ time, a better time, later, we will be waiting forever. The truth is; if you keep waiting you are going to run out of time. Take a close look at what it is you are waiting for and find a way around it. Act now, or risk missing your chance.

It is about the journey.
Just as discussed above, every small step counts, that is because the process of personal development is more about the journey than it is the result. The ‘end’ of your journey to a happier more fulfilling life is something that cannot be expressed. In fact, an ‘end’ doesn’t really exist because living a happier life is a long-term commitment that requires regular maintenance and consistent actions on your part. Your ultimate goal will change as you do, and that is why you should be focused on the journey itself rather than the finish line.

One action leads to another. 
Each action you choose will lead to another action that will lead to another. You may look back a year from now and find that you are nowhere near where you originally planned to be, but your actions will take you in the direction you need to go by presenting you with opportunities and choices. These choices will lead to others and your journey will be adjusted to suit your growing needs. It may sound lame, but it is the truth, the hardest part of any journey is getting started, but once you begin, I guarantee doors will open for you.

Until Next Time…
Take Action!

Katherine D

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Katherine D writes a blog Inspired Every Moment that provides practical tips and useful advice for living a happier, more fulfilled life every day.

http://inspiredeverymoment.com/
 

2 comments:

  1. The question that Katherine D asks here gets to the very nature of your willingness to change. If you don’t want to start now, no matter what your excuse, it really means you don’t want to change - which means that you prefer to stay the same.

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  2. Hm, yes it's true. if you want a lot to accomplish something, you just bang bang and you do it,exactly because you want it a lot! I believe in that.No excuses! You wont even think about excuses. but if you are just being lazy and looking for excuses this already means that you don't really want change.

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