13 Useful Ways to Start Taking Action in Your Life

Sometimes, it’s challenging to take action.

Where do you start?

How do you stay consistent?

And what do you do when experiencing fear, setbacks, self-doubt, or procrastination?

This article will reveal it all, including 13 unique ways to become a massive action-taker and achieve your wildest dreams.

Here are the main ideas we will cover:

• Why you are not taking action
• 13 Ways to start taking action successfully
• 5 simple steps to becoming an action-taking machine
• But be wary of motion vs action

Let’s dive in!

Why are you not taking action?

What’s holding you back from taking action? 

That’s the first question you should ask yourself. And the more you can pinpoint the exact reason, the more effective you will be in solving it.

Here are the most common reasons for not taking action:

• Fear of judgement: Everyone wants to look good in the eyes of others. And being afraid of the opinions of others is why most people do not take action.
• Fear of the unknown: We seek familiarity and do so, even if they’re causing us harm. Are you subconsciously sabotaging your success?
• Fear of failure: When experiencing self-doubt or a lack of confidence in your abilities, you simply will not take action. 
• Vagueness: Undefined goals or unclear motivations hold people back from taking action. Do you know exactly what you want to achieve and why?

Self-awareness is an excellent first step in making change.

So take your time to figure out what’s holding you back from taking the desired action. Is it fear, self-doubt, or simply a lack of clarity?

13 Ways to start taking action successfully

Understanding why you are not taking action is a helpful first step. But becoming self-aware alone isn’t enough.

So, how can you start taking action successfully?

Here are the best tips:

#1: Make a decision and commit

Without a clear decision, you will never take action. Instead, you need to become very intentional about what you want.

It requires two simple decisions:

• First, decide what’s most important to you.
• Then, determine if you’re willing to make the necessary sacrifices to achieve your goals.

Most people know what they want. But are you willing to make the sacrifices you need to achieve your goals?

That’s the essential question.

Getting six-pack abs just won’t work if you’re unwilling to improve your diet and cut out cookies and ice cream.

For this reason, Angela explains in her book Grit that finding passion in what you do is essential for success. Without it, you will have difficulty making the necessary sacrifices.

So, if you’re serious about your goals, you must define:

• What you want – exactly. 
• What price you will have to pay to achieve that.
• And if you’re willing to pay that price.

That’s the decision you have to make.

#2: Create leverage

The Austrian neurologist, Sigmond Freud, suggested that people make choices for two simple reasons: 

• To avoid pain;
• Or to move towards pleasure.

And you can use this principle to create leverage and tip yourself over the edge. How?

Here are two simple steps:

1. Increase pain to what you try to avoid.
2. Increase pleasure in what you try to achieve.

For example, if you want to eat less ice cream, stop buying it when you do your groceries. That way, whenever you desire ice cream, you will have to go through the pain of buying it first.

And most people won’t do that.

That’s creating physical leverage. In other words, make the things you seek to avoid more challenging to do. And make the stuff you want to take action on easier to do.

Prepare your gym clothes the day before, for example.

But what if you want to take action on bigger things, like pursuing your goals and dreams? 

Well, you can also create mental leverage. Here’s how:

• Imagine what your life looks like if you succeed. What will you be doing? How would you feel?
• Imagine what your life looks like if you do not take action. What would be missing in your life lack? How would that make you feel? 

Using physical (like the ice cream example) and mental (like visualizing) leverage are helpful ways to motivate you into action.

#3: Visualize success

Visualization is a powerful technique to create pleasure (from tip #2) but also to face and overcome your fears.

How?

Imagine having to give a presentation to a big crowd. You feel nervous about it and wonder if there is a way out.

Let’s visualize taking action together. 

• Lay or sit down comfortably.
• Imagine getting on stage. Notice how you feel. Are you nervous? Do you start sweating? Do your muscles tense up?
• Allow the sensations and feelings to happen.
• Imagine going through your presentation successfully but notice how you feel throughout it.
• Visualize a positive response from the crowd.

You just conquered your fears in your imagination. But how is this effective in real life?

Your mind struggles to distinguish reality from imagination. 

And visualization allows you to trick the mind a little.

It allows you to go through the experience without actually doing it. You can use this to explore how you feel and how you would act in different situations.

For example, imagine that you forget your text. How would you respond? And what could you do next?

Play around with it and see what you like.

#4: Adopt a growth mindset

In the book Mindset, Carol Dweck talks about two different mindsets people have: a fixed and a growth mindset.

• People with a fixed mindset believe that their traits are set in stone. They think they’re either intelligent or dumb,  talented or not talented.
• People with a growth mindset believe that they can improve their traits. They know they can get smarter, more talented, and more skilled.

Having a fixed mindset is dangerous because it leads to a feeling of powerlessness. And if you already believe that you cannot improve, why bother taking action?

The growth mindset is empowering because it leads to a feeling of control. You know that you can improve, and if you believe that, you’re more likely to take action.

Which mindset do you have?

If you have a fixed mindset, I recommend reading Mindset. It will help you understand why and how to change it.

And if you have a growth mindset, you’re on the right track!

Either way, always be aware of your mindset because it will shape your decisions and, thus, your actions.

#5: Set goals the right way

Goals can inspire you to move forward or leave you fearful and helpless. That’s why setting goals the right way is essential to your success.

Such goals include:

• Massive life goals that feel a little bit daunting but reflect your biggest dreams and desires.
• Short-term and realistic goals transform your audacious ones into small stepping stones.

While the first type gives you a clear vision and direction in life, the second type is the one you should focus on the most.

Process goals are the best for taking action.

The reason is simple:

Process goals focus on a specific task or process, not on the outcome. For example, if you make one sale for every 10 phone calls, focus on 30 phone calls rather than three sales.

Why?

The number of sales will vary. But the number of phone calls you make is 100% within your control.

#6: Plan your day

Here’s a simple idea if you start most of your days procrastinating, just to play catch-up for the rest of it:

Plan your day the night before.

Planning the night before clarifies what you will do the next day. And it allows you to use your energy in the morning to jump into a task, rather than dabbling in finding out what you should do.

Here’s a simple daily planning technique:

1. Identify your number one priority
2. Identify two to five other things you have to do do
3. Schedule your number one priority first thing in the morning, followed by the different tasks.
4. Make sure to block off time for breaks, lunch, and other activities like cooking or working out.
5. Plan moments at the end of your day to reward yourself for taking action. And if you do procrastinate? Then this time is your buffer to get stuff done.

I use this method every day to stay productive, and it’s very effective.

But remember that not every day goes as planned. Life happens. Don’t beat yourself up when it does, but try to adjust instead.

#7: Prepare your environment

Your environment plays a role in procrastination. 

Think about distractions, the people you surround yourself with, and not having the right tools, for example.

You can improve it by:

• Cleaning up your working environment
• Removing any other distractions
• Preparing your day in advance
• Preparing everything you need
• Blocking out time for your tasks
• And informing others when you’re unavailable

You can also use technology to your advantage. 

For example, the Freedom app can block websites and apps that distract you. And with Todoist, you can easily create to-do lists. 

Alternatively, you can look for other changes. For example, try out an inspiring co-working space or, if you can, work from another country for some months.

#8: Develop habits and routines

Habits are one of the most powerful ways to `automate yourself.` 

But why automate yourself?

Because then you no longer have to think about how to start taking action. Instead, you simply just do it.

It reduces your reliance on willpower and motivation.

And that reduces friction.

Of course, you cannot automate yourself in every area. So here’s how you can use it effectively:

• Identify your recurring tasks
• Identify the best times to do these tasks
• Schedule it at the same time every day

A personal example is writing. And I ensure to jump straight into that task in the morning when I’m also most creative.

If you want more on habits, here are 3 valuable books that I recommend reading:

• The Power of Habit to learn how habits work.
• Atomic Habits on creating a system for taking action.
• Tiny Habits for practical tips on developing habits – especially if you struggle with it.

These fantastic resources help you develop good habits and a rock-solid routine.

#9: Take action early

Taking action is not always easy. And leveraging your willpower is a valuable tool in your motivation arsenal.

Why?

Willpower is a finite resource that depletes throughout the day. That’s why it’s harder to stay motivated later in the day.

It’s when you’re more likely to give in to a muffin.

And if you start your day procrastinating, it becomes very challenging to turn it into a productive one.

That’s why you should take action early – preferably immediately after waking up.

Kick-start your day with an important task. 

What could you do this morning to make the day a success? Start every morning like this, and you will feel fantastic, increase self-discipline, and achieve more in life. 

#10: Appreciate fear

Sometimes, the anticipation of action induces fear. For example, when you know you’re going to give a presentation, you start anticipating it.

That can evoke fear and cause procrastination.

So how to manage it?

There are various ways to overcome fear. But one of them is to change your relationship with it. 

It’s a good thing to experience fear.

Why?

Because unless you’re in real danger, fear signals that you’re about to do something uncomfortable. And doing such things is the fastest way to grow, develop confidence, and ultimately achieve success.

Taking action in the face of fear is scary.

It’s why most people avoid it.

But on the other side of fear is true success and fulfillment. You can only achieve greatness if you’re willing to do uncomfortable things.

There’s no other way to surpass mediocrity.

If you want to learn more about this topic, I recommend the book: Feel Fear and Do It Anyway. Here are some takeaways:

• If you seek growth, you can’t avoid fear.
• To overcome fear, you must face it.
• Everyone experiences fears; you’re not alone.
• Push through fear to feel happier and more fulfilled.

Also, check out the full list of the best books about fear.

#11: Take imperfect action

Are you waiting around for the perfect moment to take action?

That’s a problem.

You will rarely feel ready to take action. And even if you wait for the perfect moment, you can still make mistakes. Only then will they feel much more unexpected.

Perfect action doesn’t exist.

Striving for perfection is not a bad thing. Just know that imperfect action leads to better action.

The fastest way to learn is by doing. 

You can read self-help books and learn from experts, but at the end of the day, taking action teaches on another level.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read or learn from others. I’m a big fan of that too. But do make sure you do so in combination with taking action. 

Learn as you go. 

And apply what you learn immediately.

#12: Reward yourself

Incentives shape our actions and, thus, the world.

And if incentives are powerful enough to change the world, they are also powerful enough to benefit your life.

So make sure to reward yourself.

I have a simple rule: I allow myself to spend the evening doing whatever I want when I complete my daily goals. 

And my daily goals always focus on actions, not outcomes. In other words, when I take action, I reward it immediately.

What to do if you don’t achieve your goal?

If it’s because of procrastination, I will get back to work in the evening, even though I want to relax.

That way, you rewire the mind to make the connection between taking action and relaxation.

Even if I take action and fail to achieve my goal, I will treat myself. That way, I create the mental link between action and reward.

If you use small rewards like this to reward immediate action, you will create a positive habit. And it will become much easier for you to start taking action.

Try it for yourself.

#13: Optimize for flow

In the book Flow, Mihaly explains that there’s an ideal state in which we feel in the zone. It causes joyful feelings and makes time fly by.

Flow is also what athletes experience when they’re at peak performance. It’s when their actions just happen naturally.

Mihaly also explains how you can create flow:

• You need to do something challenging to reach just outside your comfort zone and grow.
• But you also need to have confidence in your abilities to achieve a positive outcome in that challenge.

In other words, you want to find something challenging that is not too difficult.

It’s crucial if you want to take action consistently.

The challenge makes it engaging and reduces boredom. And believing that you can do it reduces anxiety and procrastination.

So if a task is too easy, seek ways to make it more challenging for yourself. And if it’s too complicated, how can you make it easier?

Adjust, take action, and keep moving forward.

5 Simple steps to becoming an action-taking machine

So far, you have learned the tips to start taking action. But what is most important if you want to achieve even more?

Consistent action.

The tiny actions you take consistently determine your success in achieving your wildest dreams and ambitions. Unfortunately, the media doesn’t highlight that aspect much.

Here are five simple steps to take action consistently:

1. Develop a consistent routine: identify when you do your best work like a morning routine. Then, plan your most impactful tasks at those moments.
2. Set weekly and daily goals: you need a big vision that gives direction and short-term goals that inspire action. For the latter, set goals that focus on activities, not outcomes.
3. Plan your day the night before: specify exactly what you need to do the next day as part of your bedtime routine. This will reduce procrastination.
4. Do the things you know you must, especially if you experience discomfort or fear. Why? Because these are the most critical activities that contribute to or take away from your growth, self-confidence, and, ultimately, success.
5. Reward yourself immediately. When you take action, make sure to reward yourself straight away. 

The secret to success is to take action consistently – especially when you don’t feel like doing so, experiencing fear or boredom.

Consistent action combined with strategy and self-reflection always wins. 

Be wary: motion vs action

Here’s a final but important note: just because you feel like you’re taking action doesn’t necessarily mean you do.

There is a difference between motion and action.

Taking action moves the needle. It means you get important stuff done. Activities that contribute to achieving your goals.

What about motion?

Going through the motions means you feel like you’re doing something. However, it’s not making a meaningful contribution toward your goals.

For example, I’ve had many meetings that didn’t contribute to the project or work goals. We had them for the sake of having them.

Want a more personal example?

Say you need to rehearse a presentation, but instead, you keep fiddling with the fonts, colors, image sizes, and stuff like that.

Be honest with yourself.

Are you just in motion to avoid the activities you really should be doing? Or are you taking massive action?

What’s next

Most people struggle to take consistent action. Yet, inconsistency is what holds most people back from achieving their goals.

Key takeaways to become an action-taking machine:

• Self-awareness is crucial: Raise awareness by asking yourself self-reflection questions and engage in other practices to understand what’s holding you back. Identify the fears, self-doubt, or lack of clarity that prevents you from taking the desired steps.
• Consistent action is key: Develop a routine, set clear goals, and prioritize activities contributing to continuous self-improvement and progress. Take (imperfect) action and reward yourself immediately to build positive habits.
• Embrace discomfort: Fear and discomfort are the natural emotions that arise when you take action. Do not seek to avoid them. Instead, embrace these emotional signals as powerful reminders that you’re growing.

For more inspiring resources on taking action, check out:

• Book: The Art of Taking Action by Gregg Krech
• Book: Getting Things Done by David Allen
• Course: Get Things Done: How To Organize Your Life And Take Action on Udemy
• Tool: Goals on Track helps you to set empowering goals and align your daily tasks with your broader ambitions.

Take action: Pick one of the tips in this article and put it into practice right now. And set goals if you haven’t yet.

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