When I talk to my clients today about the importance of taking action, it’s a concept they embrace in theory. But it’s a lot harder to live out in practice, possibly because a lot of these women weren’t immersed in action figure messaging from the time they were kids.
What I do see is a lot of women accessorizing their business ideas with beautiful social media feeds, high-end photo shoots and strong branding campaigns. But when it comes to the action part of the equation, there’s a real lack of substance.
Why this matters is that no matter how committed we may be to our purpose, it means absolutely nothing without action. In fact, if we’re aware of a problem that needs changing in the world and we do nothing about it, we become a part of the problem.
So what do I mean by taking action? Well, what I don’t mean is creating a carefully curated Instagram feed although there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m talking about having an actual action plan.
Fortunately, I can help you in that department.
My 4-step action plan helps get my clients get unstuck and moving in the right direction. Here’s how it works:
1. Know your mission.
Remember, your purpose is your WHY and your mission is your HOW (action).
2. Seize your opportunities.
Don't sleepwalk through life. Be mentally alert and present in the moment. Remember the Japanese tea ceremony saying, "Ichigo Ichie" which literally translates as “One time, one meeting.” The broader meaning is that “This happens once in a lifetime – be present and treasure it.” Don't miss out on your opportunities!
3. Know your value.
In this episode, we talk about the difference between your "worth" and your "value". You are absolutely priceless as a human being; your worth actually can't be measured. But your "value" can be measured based on your years of experience, your reputation, your level of proficiency and (very important) what the market is willing to pay for your product or services.
4. Evaluate your progress.
Use SMART goals to evaluate your actions along the way. SMART stands for Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic and Timely. Don't wait until your product or service is perfect; just take it to market, and the market will perfect your product.
There are more details on each of the above points in the episode, so be sure to listen in!