7 Ways to Develop the Habit of Acting

People who have reached professionalism in their field, are distinguished by one quality – they have the ability to cope with the tasks. In determining the amount of your paycheck, and the speed of your progress, such abilities, by significance exceed intelligence, talent and skills.

Despite the simplicity of this concept, people who can succeed in achieving results are always a little bit. The ability (or habit) to act – is the ability to turn ideas into reality, and it is the basis for the result.
So, there are 7 ways to cultivate this ability in yourself.

1. Do not wait for the ideal conditions, because that way you can never start. There is always something wrong, the wrong time, the market is in decline, or there is too much competition. In the real world there is no ideal time to start. You just need to take steps to solve problems as they arise. There is a saying: “The best time to start was last year. The next best time right now. “

2. Take Action! Practice namely action, not just thinking about what to do. Want to start an exercise program? Would you like to offer an excellent idea to the chief? Do it today. The longer an idea sits in your head without realization, the weaker it becomes and the harder it is to implement. A few days later the details may fade and after a week it is generally forgotten. If you become a man of action, you can make more cases, and in the process nurture new ideas. Of course, not everything can be obtained, however, how can you can see what worked and what did not, if you do nothing?

3. Remember that one ideas do not lead to success. Ideas are important, but they gain value only when they are implemented. An ordinary idea, embodied in life is more valuable than a dozen brilliant ideas that you put on “someday” or the “right time”. If you have an idea that you really like, do something with it. As long as you do not do anything, you don’t move forward.

4. Proceed to beat fear. Have you ever noticed that the hardest thing in public speeches – is waiting for your turn? Even professional speakers and actors experience some anxiety before a performance. But once they start, the fear goes away. Action – is the best cure for fear. The most difficult is starting something for the first time. Once the process has begun, you have the confidence, and everything becomes easier. Kill your fear by going to act, and so develop your confidence.

5. Start your “creative” mechanically. One of the biggest misconceptions about the creative work – is that it is only for inspiration. If you wait for inspiration to give you a slap, the periods of your creative work will be limited and short-term. Instead of waiting for, start your “creative engine” mechanically. If you want to write something, force yourself to sit down and write. Use brainstorming. Do something, even mechanically. Simply moving the pen across the paper, you will stimulate the flow of ideas, and will inspire you.

6. Live in the present. Focus on what you can do at the moment. Do not worry about what you should have done last week, or what you could do tomorrow. All that you can influence it now. If you think too much about the past or the future, you will not get anywhere. “Tomorrow” or “next week” often turn into “never”.

7. Immediately proceed to work. For many people it is quite natural to talk a little bit before you get to work. Moreover, it is also true for those working alone. How often do you check your email or read RSS-news before you start work? Such distractions can cost you considerable time if you do not go instead straight to the point. If you develop the ability starting with the most important, you’ll be more productive in your work and people will naturally look to you as a leader.

It takes some initiative to be able to act and without the chief. Perhaps this is why, this is a rare quality so highly prized by any manager or director. Be proactive. When you have a good idea start implement it, without waiting for tips. When people see how serious you think of the execution of tasks assigned to you, they will want to follow you. The people at the top, leaders, bosses, have no one who will suggest them what to do. If you want to be one of them, you must learn to act independently, without waiting for someone to push you forward.

This tips were inspired by The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz.