Have you ever met or worked with someone that is all go? No
procrastination traits will be found here. If they say they will do
something, you can place your bet that it will be done. They often move
swiftly, and with purpose. These types have business to attend to--right
now. Do you have a clear picture of the person I'm describing? Great,
how much more would we accomplish in life by adding this minor, but
powerful, personality characteristic to our behavior? I'm not referring
to the achievement of long-term bucket list goals (but they're certainly
attainable as well), just consistent progress on your daily
things-to-do-list.
You've probably guessed by now what these people place as a priority in their lives: action. The desire to make things happen today, this afternoon, or this second, is paramount. Notice the word desire and not ability, or some other word that won't make the grade. The things you want to achieve in your life, French lessons, purchasing a vacation home, mentoring to youth, or some other fantastic goal, will become your reality only with your decision to take action. A motivational quote by C.G. Jung sums up my thought perfectly: "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."
I learned just how potent taking action is while working at my first sales job. I sold (tried to sell is more accurate) alarm systems. I didn't have very good luck because I spent very little time doing, and more of my time talking. I was making my hot leads list, examining my pending sales funnel, or sending out nice follow-up letters complete with company logo--but no direct customer interaction.
One afternoon I was having lunch with our number one sales rep, and he dropped a bomb on me. He was going solo, and was going to launch his own alarm company. I jumped at the opportunity to partner with him, and we made plans to meet and discuss details. I made the assumption that our first strategy meeting would be filled with water cooler type banter. Man was I in for a surprise! Not only did he have a plan of action for our new business all set and ready to go, he had prepared the necessary incorporation documents, had several business name choices, a potential customer list, and a good idea where to open our office. Talking about doing something in life is not the same as doing. From that day to this one, I have never forgotten that lesson.
You've probably guessed by now what these people place as a priority in their lives: action. The desire to make things happen today, this afternoon, or this second, is paramount. Notice the word desire and not ability, or some other word that won't make the grade. The things you want to achieve in your life, French lessons, purchasing a vacation home, mentoring to youth, or some other fantastic goal, will become your reality only with your decision to take action. A motivational quote by C.G. Jung sums up my thought perfectly: "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do."
I learned just how potent taking action is while working at my first sales job. I sold (tried to sell is more accurate) alarm systems. I didn't have very good luck because I spent very little time doing, and more of my time talking. I was making my hot leads list, examining my pending sales funnel, or sending out nice follow-up letters complete with company logo--but no direct customer interaction.
One afternoon I was having lunch with our number one sales rep, and he dropped a bomb on me. He was going solo, and was going to launch his own alarm company. I jumped at the opportunity to partner with him, and we made plans to meet and discuss details. I made the assumption that our first strategy meeting would be filled with water cooler type banter. Man was I in for a surprise! Not only did he have a plan of action for our new business all set and ready to go, he had prepared the necessary incorporation documents, had several business name choices, a potential customer list, and a good idea where to open our office. Talking about doing something in life is not the same as doing. From that day to this one, I have never forgotten that lesson.
