Motivation: The Power of Action, Part 1

I've heard it said that 85% of success is showing up. While that's true, in the words of radio commentator Paul Harvey, here's the rest of the story.

If 85% of success is showing up, then in order to do better than 85% of the other folks, all you have to do is show up.

That's fairly easy.

To do better than 90% of everyone else, show up, and be on time.

Still not too tough.

To do better than 95% of everyone else, show up, on time, with a plan.

Getting a little harder here.

To do better than anyone else, 100% of everyone else, show up, on time, with a plan, and follow through with the plan.

Ouch. Now this is really getting harder, isn't it?

Have you noticed how the last five percent of something is usually the hardest? Take working out with weights for example. The first of ten reps are usually the easiest, while reps 8, 9 and 10 are usually the hardest. Do you also know which reps do you the most good? That's right, eleven and twelve.

So it is with following through. In my experience, both personally and professionally, this is the hardest part of being successful. And therefore the most important and beneficial.

So what makes it so hard to follow through? The biggest hindrance for most people is putting action off, the deadly disease of procrastination.

Here are two sets of deadly procrastination words.

"I'll do it later" - What "I'll do it later" really means is that we have done two interesting things in our brains. We have linked more pain than pleasure to getting something done and we have linked more pleasure to putting something off than to doing it now. Simply stated, when we say "I'll do it later" we mean that it feels better to put it off than to do it now.

"I forgot" - Sometimes we do honestly forget. Most of the time, what "I forgot" really means is that we did not believe something was important enough to do. It's another excuse for procrastination.

So how do we beat the disease of procrastination? Nike had it right with it's slogan "Just Do It." I realize that I'm quoting a sneaker company here, but I guess you find your wisdom where you can.

The main reason why the just do it slogan works so well is because the smallest action is better than the best intention. All the best intentions in the world can't stack up against even the smallest action.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

---

Unleash Your Unlimited Power

Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Your... Read More

Finding Your Authentic Path

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." ~... Read More

Productivity Engineering

Review: Productivity Engineering- A hypnosis program to help you improve... Read More

Teaching kids -- UGH!! (...and what I learned from it)

I have a confession to make: I don't like working... Read More

Dont Get Hysterical About The Historical

The tension was palpable in the room as I began... Read More

Motivation and Change: Creating Your Daily Success Program

I get some of my best ideas for my column... Read More

Know your Mission

One passage states "If you want to defeat them, distract... Read More

Speed Reading Technique

Four Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than EverMany people,... Read More

Mid-Year Success Check: Are You Halfway There?

In a couple weeks, we'll be heading into the second... Read More

17 More Things Ive Noticed Along the Way So Far

Three areas of life in which we get very little... Read More

Three Fs and a Challenge

It's no secret that life is a tricky animal to... Read More

Motivation and Success: Improved Techniques

Changing our internal programming that limits us has never been... Read More

By Planning and Exerting Effort, You Can Change Things For The Better

Most of us plan to find the love of our... Read More

Journaling - A Tool for Healing and Growth

The word "journal" comes from the French. It dates back... Read More

Are You IFFY?

Many people say that working for themselves or working on... Read More

Visualization

Visualisation plays a very important role with the mind and... Read More

Keep Motivated To Succeed Online!

Starting and managing a business takes motivation and talent. It... Read More

Creative Procrastination

Do you ever postpone things, or just forget about them... Read More

The Benefits of Keeping A Journal

Keeping a journal has many advantages and benefits. Whether you... Read More

Daily Motivation: 7 Methods

Isn't a lack of daily motivation one of the biggest... Read More

10 Things To Do This Summer

Looking for a summer project? How about working on who... Read More

These Are The Good Ole Days

I am sitting here at a public access wireless location... Read More

Three Simple Ways to Motivate Yourself Today!

Are you having a hard time getting things done? Are... Read More

A Reality Practice

Suggested practice to gain freedom from self-limitation.It is suggested that... Read More

Change Your Life, Release Fear, and Create What you Really Want

Do you have a dream? Or do you just have... Read More

STOP! Reading the Headlines and Live Your Own Life First

Imagine! 40 is old. The California State Supreme Court has... Read More

Don?t Let Motivation Cause You to Fail

Yesterday my teenage son Matt came home with a less... Read More

If You Are Rejected!

This article exemplifies the inner working of emotional intelligence. Effectively... Read More

212 Degrees

At 211 degrees, water is pretty darn hot.But at 212,... Read More

Why You Dont Ned Motivation

As a life coach, I often hear people say they... Read More

Be Action-Oriented

Are you a melancholic online business owner by nature? I... Read More

Put Some Fire in Your Desire

One of the keys to success is staying motivated because... Read More

Motivation By Consequences

In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More