Positive Actions and Hard Work

We often listen to or hear motivational speakers that tell us 'keep a positive mindset', 'the power of positive thinking', or the power of good karma. All of those things are good, but I believe that there are some good people out there, who do think positively, but somehow things don't go their way. It is not enough to have positive thoughts, but those must translate into planning and action. I have heard that Gen George Patton said he preferred a good plan well executed quickly, than the perfect plan delayed and poorly executed. There is merit in that comment and philosophy. We can often be paralyzed, trying to get the stars to line up perfectly, and they never do. I am not advocating blind action, but encouraging you, to TAKE ACTION.  While we want to prepare and do our homework, let's face it, you will NEVER have ALL THE INFORMATION needed. Sometimes you will have to make decisions with the information you have at hand.

The marathon finish line may be in your head, but you have to translate that to the first step out the door for training, before it will be a reality. Thinking about getting into shape doesn't cause you to actually tighten up!  A college football teammate of mine once said, "I can envision bench pressing 500 lbs all the time in my mind, but It will never happen". HINT- he was the Kicker.  In my experience, and as I get older, I am realizing that we have so much 'motivation'  out there, but very little action after that motivation. We are tired, defeated at times, and those words just won't dig us out of out the current challenge in front of us. 

(1) Set Achievable Goals, (2)Take Action, (3)Assess Action, (4) REPEAT! That is often reality and often the process for real long term success. Get knocked down, get back up, change your course of action, try again. This is the real recipe. 

Focus on what is right in front of you, do not deviate. Don't allow the 'many' opportunities or tasks to cloud the action you take on the one right in front of you. We have to be willing and able to put in the work to achieve. Not just to dream it, to think it, but taking the steps necessary, the necessary sacrifice, the necessary study, and the plain and simple HARD WORK. To actually embrace it.