Alternate Perceptions Magazine, October 2022
Achieving Goals Requires Taking Action
by: Stan Prachniak
There are some people who are content with who they are and how they live, but even those people had to make changes along the way to become who they are now and begin living the life they are currently living. But most people desire to be a better version of themselves, or to have what they would consider to be a better life. In either case, change is required. And changes, both big and small, require action. And taking action is a point where most people tend to stumble or stall. Many people have an idea of who they want to be or how they want to live, but they can’t (or don’t) figure out how to get there. So, how can you avoid stumbling and stalling if you are striving for something better in your life? The short answer is, make a plan and take action.
Successful people set goals and make plans to succeed. And not just general goals like, “I want to make $100,000 this year.” They look at what it will take to make that goal a reality. In short, people who achieve their goals know what steps to take—they make a plan. For any substantial goals in life, it is smart to break the main goal into smaller goals. A large goal can be daunting, which can lead to inaction. If your goal feels overwhelming, it is hard to figure out where to start. By making a plan and figuring out your first step, you create your opportunity to take action. With each success at the smaller steps (or goals), you make the larger goal less overwhelming. And the more attainable your goal feels, the easier it is to continue taking action.
Freedom To Change offers a useful method for overcoming the hurdle of inaction. The process involves assessing your situation, challenging your beliefs, choosing a plan for change, and then acting on that plan—taking action. For more information on the Freedom To Change materials, visit www.freedom2change.org.
