Action brings clarity

Do you ever feel like you have the all the answers to the test but still fail it? How is that possible? Inaction. When you know what you should be doing, but you don’t do it. The fact of the matter is, none of this is complicated. In fact, it doesn’t get much simpler. But simple does not equal easy. Simple is, more often than not, straight-up hard. You know how you should act, you know what you should eat, you know what you should be doing, but you don’t it.

We often think that we are unique or special and so are our circumstances. The truth is, we are not as unique as we like to think, and we all experience the same circumstances. When it rains, it doesn’t rain on select individuals. When the wind blows, it doesn’t blow with preferential direction. There are several awesome stories that personify this idea. Here are a few that come to mind:

One day it was pouring rain outside. One door-to-door salesmen said, “what a horrible day to sell.” His competitor said, “with this pouring rain, everyone will be stuck inside. What a great day for door-to-door sales!” Same circumstances. Both have the “answers to the test.” One passed, one failed.

Twin brothers were raised by an abusive alcoholic father. One brother grew up to be an accomplished professional. When asked about his success he stated, “My father was an abusive alcoholic. I want to be nothing like him. How could I be anything else?” His twin brother grew up to be an abusive alcoholic like their father. When asked about his lack of success he stated, “My father was an abusive alcoholic. How could I be anything else?” Same circumstances. Same motivation. Very different results.

Jim Rohn, calls it the “set of the sail.” Two sailboats side by side with the same wind blowing. One sailor takes charge, sets the sail and guides their boat where they want to go. The other lets the wind carry them adrift and gets run aground. Where do you want to go?

One day, I was sharing the power of my morning routine with a small group of friends. As I detailed my routine, one guy huffed and said, “Yea, that’s great. Because everyone has time to do all that.” I found it to be an interesting comment. Do we not have the same 24 hours? Yes, we just chose to spend ours differently. We all have the same amount of time, but we all choose what to put our focus on. We choose what to prioritize. Mindset and choice strike again.

As these stories illustrate for us, two people can be subjected to the same scenario but end up in two very different places. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” It’s time to understand the choices we make. But this is the biggest challenge of all. It takes significant “soul searching.” You have to buckle down and answer hard questions. What do you want out of this life? What are your metaphorical big rocks we discussed several weeks ago? What kind of man do you want to be? Do you want to be a husband? If so, what kind of husband do you want to be? Do you want to be a father? If so what kind of father? Do you want to be a businessman, pastor, factory worker, carpenter, teacher, banker, psychologist, coach, accountant, doctor, janitor, electrician, plumber, investor, service member or law enforcement?

You need more than answers to these questions. You need to believe in them. You need to be able to respond to them with conviction when asked by a stranger. Not have a vague idea. Not have to check the list you wrote down about your dream life because you can’t actually remember “what you want.” You need to live it.

I know it can seem overwhelming. It can seem like you’re standing before a foggy mountain. The path forward may not be clear, but what happens in the fog? You may only be able to see 20’ feet in front of you, but when you walk 20’ feet you can see another 20’ feet. Then another. Then another. As you cautiously navigate your way through the fog your path becomes more clear. Eventually, as the fog breaks you can see your path all the way to the summit. This is what it looks like to take action. You can take all you’ve learned and start to cautiously move into the fog, or you can sit and stare at the same 20’ feet in front of you and say “I can’t move forward.” Either decision will yield a result. Both options plant seeds, both will reap a harvest. You have to choose what seeds you plant.

You have the answers to the test, now put them to work! I'd love to walk this journey with you! Reach out and let me know how I can help!