Does Action Have Intelligence?

Say what? Are you crazy? If I act before I think, I have no idea what the consequences of my actions will be.

You're right! But, it really depends on the context of your action habit. In working with the people that I've had the pleasure in working with over the years, I've discovered an interesting thing. Way too many people fail in whatever they are trying to accomplish because they are thinking "TOO MUCH" before they're acting.

This is an interesting concept. Think before you act! You may have seen it on a billboard somewhere, it might be a lesson you and I learned in elementary school, or maybe your wife or husband says this to you daily. Either way, you've heard and understood and most of you have lived by it.

I'm sure you can come up with many ways this process has helped you, however. I'm sure you can come up with many ways this process has disempowered you, or stifled your success, or even stopped you dead in your tracks because you are always looking for the perfect action strategy before you even take any action.

What is the perfect action strategy? In my opinion there isn't one. As a matter of fact, I believe if you always try to make your activity perfect, you'll rarely even get started. This is the problem I find - that most of us think way too much before we act.

This is the equivalent of someone wanted to learn how to ride a bike by going out and buying the best books and video instruction on the subject. The bottom line is that you quickly realize that even if you have the best instruction on the planet, the knowledge on how to ride a bike can only be received AFTER you've put on your helmet, your knee pads and jumped on that bike to take it for a spin.

So if this is the same for riding a bike, why isn't it the same, for starting a business, investing in real estate, starting a fitness program or even taking on a spiritual path?
Hmmm... That's a good question, and although there are "more correct ways of doing things" YOU'LL NEVER TRULY KNOW, unless you DO SOMETHING!!

It's the quest for the PERFECT ACTION/STRATEGY which is impossible, because there is an innate intelligence within an action habit. What that means is that learning how to do something well, means you must do it.

The doing, not the planning, will create the perfection. You can plan while you DO but never plan "TOO MUCH" before you do.

How do I know I'm planning too much? Or I'm taking in more knowledge than I need? Easy. You know you're planning too much if you aren't getting anywhere. For example, could I really sit here and plan out an 'EFFECTIVE' exercise program or an 'EFFECTIVE' business plan for anyone without knowing what they can and can't do, what they're willing and not willing to do, or even if their direction is the correct one? It's not possible.

You need to get in action, right now, today. Then, let the results of the action dictate the direction, because action has its own intelligence. You will glean more results, and "what not to do" information from picking up the phone and getting into the action of making phone calls and by gauging your "realistic response" - not a fictional one that you make up in your mind. You'd get your results quicker if you got out of bed and went straight to a treadmill, rather than sitting down 'TRYING TO THINK ABOUT' a perfect diet and exercise program. I'm told the Devil is in the details. Well, that might be true, but you can also say that the Devil is the perfectionist planning.

Here's what you can do to break out of the mold of perfectionistic planning.

Put a time limit on your planning before you begin planning.
Make sure you take action the moment you finish putting a time limit on your planning.
The activity of the planning must start TODAY. Not tomorrow. No Excuses, Make sure you're doing something TODAY toward your desired outcome. Make that phone call, clean up the office, send that email, make that connection, or go out and shake a hand or two. YOU MUST DO SOMETHING TODAY.
After you've done your one thing for today, make a pact with yourself that you will take one activity daily that adds to the momentum of your outcome - NOT an activity that adds to your planning, learning or prioritizing.
Celebrate! Make sure after you actually take that first step, and CELEBRATE. Even if things don't go the way you expect, at least you're on the bike!!!

I'm sure there are times that you need to plan a lot, like a big project, a business plan, etc. However, if you stop and take a look at your life and ask yourself, where have I over planned and underachieved, my guess is that you'll find many areas, and that's ok!

Welcome to humanity! The next issue will be about getting you beyond your unexpected failures.

Till next time!