What All Successful People Do | The Key to Clarity and Momentum

 

When I was 11 years old, I started my first business- it was the classic end of the driveway lemonade stand. To be fair to my mom, she did most of the work. She helped me and my sister mix the powder into a pitcher of ice water, pour cups, and get our makeshift storefront set up by side of the road. At the time we were charging a steep 25 cents a cup to our neighbors, however lucky for us it was a hot summer day and they were more than happy to pay. I was elated to just be making sales and I was having fun talking to the passersby. However, what happened next blew my little entrepreneur mind out of the water.

I thank God our older neighbor Jean was taking a walk that day, because when she approached the table, she did something that would change my view of success and business forever. Right off the bat she exclaimed, “Aw, you guys are so cute! I would love to buy a lemonade please!” That was nice, but the act that changed my perspective on business forever was when she slid a crisp $20 bill across the card table toward my sister and me. Initially, I was confused because the construction paper sign we taped to the table clearly said, “Lemonade: 25 cents”. Luckily, I was smart enough not to point that out and happily accepted the gargantuan overpayment.

What I learned that day is the age-old wisdom that fortune favors those who take action. When it comes to success in business and in life, there’s no substitute for focused, passionate, consistent action. There’s a faster way to motivation, clarity, and achievement. It's doing what me and my sister did- we just went out there and got started.

So, let’s unpack what focused, passionate, consistent action looks like so you can reap its benefits for yourself!

 

 1. Action is Messy

The number one reason I see people avoiding action is perfectionism. The second reason is action takes real effort! But let’s focus on perfectionism for a moment. Why do people put off completing their business plan, finishing their website, or launching their product? Why do people prefer reading another ‘how-to’ book instead of working on their own stuff? I believe the element that’s always missing when perfectionism is present is a real deadline. Isn't it true your college term paper needed to be handed in on a specific date or there would be tangible consequence? In real life we don’t have professors giving our lives structure, so here’s how we overcome perfectionism:

a. Accept that action is messy. Fully embrace the feelings of not being qualified, being prepared, or like you have all the necessary tools/resources. Leaders persevere despite those feelings, they don’t let themselves be stopped by them.

b. Set yourself a hard deadline with real consequences if you don’t complete your project. You must take your perfectionist hat off and put your completionist hat on. Get that date on a sticky note in front of you and look at it every day until you release that online course, initiate that tough conversation, or publish that website you’ve been building. Trust yourself that you can get this done. You are more creative and resourceful than you know! You can do this.

 

 

2. Action is a Lifestyle

If you want the most results, you need to think of action as not a standalone act, and more of an approach to every project and initiative. Action needs to be woven into the plan at every stage. 

For example, if you’re planning to launch a new business, the tendency would be to think of the action happening after the launch. This is not true! Who says you need to take three to six months to launch your first product? Once you have your goals and roadmap in place to begin your business, think of everything after that as action. Think of every meeting, problem solving discussion, brainstorming session, follow up email, product refinement, and market research initiative as taking action towards your goal. The difference is a lazy approach to the planning/research stage vs treating it as an action step. The former drags on and feels aimless, the latter smashes through roadblocks quickly on the way to getting your product or service to market. 

A wise man or woman knows action solves many problems before they even arise. Worried about your business or finances? Take action to keep you focused on solutions and to make more revenue. Tired and unmotivated? Take action to feel momentum. Doubting yourself? Do something to start stacking up quick wins and build your confidence.

Action is a lifestyle. Now get going!

 

3. Action Keeps Things Fun

There’s nothing like working hard on a product launch or new brand for months upon months and finally seeing it released to bless the world. You can’t fake the feeling of progress. Progress is wired into the desire of every human. We are intrinsically driven feel like we’re moving our lives forward in a tangible way. Progress makes us feel satisfied in our work and content that we are fulfilling our potential. Action is necessary to move our life and our business forward.

So, if you’re looking for a higher level of joy, satisfaction, and peace in your life- take action towards what’s meaningful to you. As you change and grow, you’ll not only see your dreams become a reality, but your soul will find rest.

Remember when looking back at life in your old age, you’ll find all you ever had was right now. At every stage of life, you only had the moment you were in. So take action. And enjoy the process of achievement. Remember these wise words from renowned leadership expert John Maxwell:

“You must do not only what others believe you cannot do, but what even you believe you cannot do.”

 

See you at the top my friends!

-Joey