Did you start your new year with a plan?   Now, when I say “plan” I mean a written one–one that has all of the details from start to finish, not something that you’ve got swimming around in your head with all of the other stuff that you’ve got floating around up there.  It’s not real unless it’s in writing!  If your plan is still in your head, or is half way or even completely mapped out on paper, I have a question for you…what’s your problem?!!  Why haven’t you taken action?

If this is the norm for you and life is moving along like it usually does, let me tell you something, if you don’t make a change, nothing in your life will change and you won’t have the outcomes that you’re looking for.  You can’t expect different results when you’re playing the same game with the same mindset and the same behaviors.  It’s just not possible to get where you want to doing things the way you’ve always done them.  If you want this year to be a repeat of the last one, then keep doing what you’re doing now and you’ll get exactly that.  But if you’re ready for the shift, ready to move forward, then it’s time to do something different.

Now, it might be that you haven’t gotten started because things are in the way. If you’re like most, what’s really in the way are things like not being organized, poor management of your time and a lack of systems and habits to support you.  Those aren’t the only things that will impede your progress.  Not taking action will kill your dreams every time, guaranteed.  As Og Mandino said in The Greatest Salesman in The World, “My dreams are worthless, my plans are dust, my goals are impossible.  All are of no value unless they are followed by action.” So what’s it going to be? Are you going to continue to do things the way that you’ve always done them, making your progress and growth impossible, or are you going to get your rear in gear?

If you choose to get your rear in gear so that you can accomplish what you want, there are specific things that you’ve got to do and you’ve got to be in action every day. First of all, if you’re giving yourself a beat down, stop it!  Acknowledge where you are and then that you’re moving forward.  If your plan is in your head, get it on paper with all of the fine details–what steps are you going to have to take to get where you want to be, what resources are necessary, and the timing of things. Once you’ve determined the timing, you can start performing the tasks that it’s going to take to accomplish what you want.  Get them in your calendar!  Every day you should be doing specific things to move you toward your goals.  They don’t necessarily have to be big things, but you’ve got to be in action. Keep in mind that you’ve got to be realistic about what you can do every day too.  Some days it might only be possible to look at your plan to see where you are and if you’re on track because of what needs to be done during the course of the day.  Even if all you do is to remind yourself of where you’re going and what the master plan is, that keeps you focused on the prize. Additionally, make sure you have someone to hold you accountable.  This can be a trusted friend or colleague or you can go the professional route and get a coach to hold you accountable. It doesn’t matter which way you do it, but you have to have the accountability piece in place.

Finally, look to see what it is that has you stopped.  Why is it that you haven’t taken action? Are you afraid, making excuses or blaming your lack of movement on other people or things? If so, delve into that to find out why.  Start by taking responsibility for your actions, or lack thereof as it were, and make the mindset shift that it’s going to take to move you forward without the excuses or blame and with the ability to feel the F.E.A.R. (false evidence appearing real)  and do it anyway. Make the commitment to yourself to take action now and get your rear in gear!

Want support with this process? If you’ve started and now you’re stalled, half-way mapped out your plan and can’t get it going, consider coaching to get you through the process.  Coaching will help you make the mindset shift and drop the habits that don’t support you, like procrastination;  get clear on your vision and set clear and concise goals; get your priorities in order; focus on the important things; and have your stress level go down and productivity level go up.  You can sign up here.