This may sound counterintuitive coming from a coach, but no matter what life challenge you may be facing, most of the time it’s not really advice that you need. Nine times out of ten, when people ask me for advice, they don’t really want me to tell them how to do something. What they really want is for me to motivate them to actually do it. Deep down, I think most of us already know exactly what we need to do to improve our lives. More often than not, we’re just looking for validation from outside sources or the inspiration to take action.
Unfortunately, too many of us never take action.
We get the information, we pay for the coaching, we buy the books and training programs. We read and think and ponder and then read some more. We procrastinate and analyze to the point of inaction. And that’s really the problem. There is never any lack of information. No matter what you might want to accomplish in your life, there’s someone out there to give you advice – either for free or fee.
But it’s your job to take it.
What if the only way to get unstuck from where you are was to stop looking for advice from others? More specifically:
- Stop reading books about it
- Stop reading blogs about it
- Stop talking about it
- Stop thinking about it
- Stop analyzing it
- Stop asking people about it
What if the only way to move forward was to just do it?
When, you ask? Try now. Right this very moment. Stop reading this damn blog post and go take the first step toward pursuing your wildest dream. Then, you can sit back and watch the universe start working on your behalf.
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
I m turning into a positive black woman! Knowledge is our power. Thank Youuuu Rosetta for not being selfish with what you know on helping us women grow to new heights in this life. I feel like you a cousin I always wished to have. God is awesome! I feel so fortunate to ran into your site.
I am so glad to read this. It gave me motivation. What you said is so true about me. I will read about health magazine all day long and then procrastinate on working . I wilk read on what to do with things in regards to my life and procrastinate by just reading about it more. I’m done with doing that. It’s time for a change.
I love this!
It really got me moving that’s for sure. I’ll be blogging about this soon. It was on time.
Why can’t I have this tattooed on the spirits of everyone I know? I keep saying this… just get off your duff and DO IT!
As someone that gets caught up in the deep swamp of analysis paralysis….I needed this. Thanks. :-)
I need this post today. Staying up a few extra hours to work on my blog and my business. I need to put my to-do list in action. Hold me to it.
There was a video on TED in which the speaker said that when you share your dreams and goals out loud, your brain makes you feel as if you have actually DONE something, so you get this feeling of accomplishment, when in truth, you haven’t done diddly. I was reminded of that with this piece. We can take all of the advice in the world, but until we are ready to actually make that first, TRUE step, we’re just waxing poetic out loud, and taking notes of “advice”.
Go forth and be fabulous!
TO ROSETTA, THANK U FOR CHASING THE LIFE U WANT AND SHOWING OTHERS THE WAY!I LOVE YOUR SITE!
TO HEALTHY & FIT, I THINK WE R TWINS SEPARATED AT BIRTH CUZ I DO THE SAME THING.
TO AMBER J.,THANK U FOR SHARING, U HAVE GIVEN ME SOME INSIGHT.
Agreed. I was really good at going to seminars, buying books etc. I’m still guilty of it sometimes. But sometimes as you said you have to put it ALL aside and just get on with it and either succeed or crash and burn in the process.
Love this, I jump in head first to a business idea I had last October after LOTS of thinking/talking/”planing” aka procrastinating. It was/is scary as hell but I’m so glad that i took the leap. Now i HAVE to take action in order to move things forward. http://www.etsy.com/shop/brownbelle
Congrats on taking action on your business :) The first leap is always the hardest. Love your Etsy shop – it’s so cute & unique!