Are You Stuck?

You know the feeling.

There's something you want to do. You've thought about it, you've made your decision, and now it's time to act.

Except... you don't.

You want to take the next step, but "something" stops you. Do you know what that "something" is?

It's all down to our ancient ancestors...

Backtrack 100,000 years ago when we all lived in caves and ferocious animals lurked nearby.

Decision making in those days was literally a matter of life and death. If you took a wrong turn, or made yourself too visible, you would attract predators who would eat you for dinner. You and the entire group.

Whatever action you took, you had to be 100% certain before taking it. One mistake meant death.

Fast forward to today.

100,000 years on, and the human brain has evolved into a marvel of sophisticated intelligence. Unfortunately, it still contains the primitive thinking layer used by our ancestors.

And there lies the problem.

Because even today, we still have this overriding need for the elusive quality that enabled our primitive forebears to survive:

Certainty.

And so although the decisions we face nowadays are seldom a matter of life and death, they can often feel that way thanks to our genetic inheritance.

That's why the first step is always the hardest to take.

Anytime you decide to do something new, you are stepping outside "the cave of the familiar" into unknown territory where you are likely to experience some form of fear.

And this sense of discomfort is so strong, you'll do anything to avoid it.

Typical tricks include avoidance, delay, or "over- thinking"...

"Over-thinking" is when you continue to think about making a decision, long after you've actually decided! What you're really doing is creating a safe mental environment for yourself. By constantly thinking about something, it becomes familiar, and so you start to feel comfortable around it.

The problem with "over-thinking" is that it doesn't move you forward one tiny bit, and only results in wasted time and lost opportunities.

Ultimately, a decision is not a decision until it's acted upon. Until that point, it remains a dream.

Here's how to ease yourself out of procrastination and into action using what I call the "triple A" method...

Accept -> Ask -> Act

Step #1 - Accept

Accept uncertainty is a part of life.

Just by doing this, you'll become aware of your feelings surrounding a decision and put them into perspective by relating them to your own primeval craving for certainty.

Realize that even with the best analysis, careful planning, and due diligence, the outcome can never really be known in advance and there comes a time when you've got to take the risk and move forward.

Step #2 - Ask

Ask yourself: "What's the worst that can happen here?"

Look at the worst case scenario, and ask yourself what you'd really lose from it. Most often, it's a lot less than you might have feared.

And what can you do if the worst scenario was to materialize? Could you backtrack? Change direction? Start again? Few things are ever truly final.

Usually you'll find you've got nothing to worry about.

Step #3 - Act

Finally, act. Just do it. Take the next step.

Making a decision and acting on it is enormously liberating.

You get a sudden burst of momentum as you cast off the shackles of procrastination and finally move forward towards your goal.

The old maxim "If in doubt, leave it out" is essential advice when driving or engaging in other hazardous activities.

For most decisions in life, though, you can afford to take a little risk and start living.

The next time you feel stuck, use the 'AAA' technique to help you move forward.

Accept. Ask. Act.

'7 Steps To Mental Mastery' -- Learn how to think faster, read quicker, concentrate deeper, solve any problem and achieve anything you want. Get started immediately: http://7StepsToMentalMastery.com

About The Author

Murdo Macleod is the creator of the popular course: '7 Steps To Mental Mastery'.

http://7StepsToMentalMastery.com

---

Daily Motivation--Be Kind to Yourself for a Change

"How far you go in life depends on your being... Read More

Decide

Where do you want to be in a year? In... Read More

Mastering Emotions: Taking Your Life To The Next Level

Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More

Your Date with Destiny

Destiny. What a powerful word. And the great thing about... Read More

Are You Still Stuck on Still?

Are you still "stuck on still?" If so, don't let... Read More

Selective Perspective

Picture this: A mother and daughter are looking at the... Read More

Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps

Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More

3 Great Ways to Beat Procrastination at Work

As more tasks become automated due to advances in technology... Read More

Instant Willpower

We've all heard people say "I have a system". Ever... Read More

Hanging On In There - How To Carry On When Your Motivation Is Flagging

"I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take... Read More

Wake Up to the Life You Love

While speaking at a San Diego university recently, I was... Read More

Overcome Fear: You?ll Miss All The Shots You Don?t Take

A lot of folks are petrified at the mere thought... Read More

Why Now Is The Perfect Moment For You To Succeed

Let´s discover the importance of balancing preparation, timing and momentum.... Read More

What are You Waiting for?

Do it now! Whatever it is you have been putting... Read More

Day Dream Believer

I am sure you, just like the rest of us,... Read More

Making Things Happen

We are all given the tools, but it is up... Read More

How Poor Are You!

Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More

The Time To Start Working On Your Dream is Now - Not Later

Most of us are hesitant to start anything because we... Read More

Making the Most of Now

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every... Read More

What Being Vs Doing Really Means

So often we hear about "being" rather than "doing." Often... Read More

Finding the Easy Way

For the last hour I have been sweating over what... Read More

The New Morality

In a world where dynamism alters egos and principles in... Read More

Motivation - The 4 Most Potent Ways To Awaken Your Enthusiasm

...it is in this whole process of meeting and solving... Read More

That One Thing That Guarantees Your Unlimited Motivation And Success

What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More

Darkness of Winter Encourages Insights

The darkness of Winter has descended.For many the long stormy... Read More

Motivation, Your Core Resource

Your motivation is one of the core resources you have... Read More

Taking Action NOW: 9 Key Strategies...Part I

Awareness, understanding what impacts you!Awareness makes it possible for you... Read More

Finding Direction: Finding Passion Series - 2 of 3

In order to find the right direction for ourselves, we... Read More

Anchors Away!

If we want to fill our heads with the doom... Read More

Full Steam Ahead, Just Dont Go Off Half Cocked!

Do you do things that you don't want to do?... Read More

The Undeniable Power of a Mastermind Group

A Mastermind is a group of individuals who are joined... Read More

A Surfing Lesson

I've never surfed in my life. Sometimes people tell me... Read More

Resolution Revolution: 3 Tips For Creating Real Change in the New Year

'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of... Read More