Action vs. self-delusion
by Jim Rohn
Knowledge fuelled by emotion equals action. Action is the ingredient that ensures results. Only action can cause reaction. Further, only positive action can cause positive reaction.
The whole world loves to watch those who make things happen, and it rewards them for causing waves of productive enterprise. I stress this because today I see many people who are really sold on affirmations. And yet there is a famous saying that "Faith without action serves no useful purpose." How true!
I have nothing against affirmations as a tool to create action. Repeated to reinforce a disciplined plan, affirmations can help create wonderful results. But there is also a very thin line between faith and folly. You see - affirmations without action can be the beginnings of self-delusion. And for your well being there is little worse than self-delusion.
The man who dreams of wealth and yet walks daily toward certain financial disaster and the woman who wishes for happiness and yet thinks thoughts and commits acts that lead her toward certain despair are both victims of the false hope which affirmations without action can manufacture. Why? Because words soothe and, like a narcotic, they lull us into a state of complacency. Remember this: To Make Progress You Must Actually Get Started!
The key is to take a step today. Whatever the project, start today. Start clearing out a drawer of your newly organised desk... today. Start setting your first goal... today. Start listening to motivational cassettes... today. Start a sensible weight-reduction plan... today. Start calling on one tough customer a day... today. Start putting money in your new "investment for fortune" account... today. Write a long-overdue letter... today. Anyone Can! Even an uninspired person can start reading inspiring books.
Get some momentum going on your new commitment for the good life. See how many activities you can pile on your new commitment to the better life. Go all out! Break away from the downward pull of gravity. Start your thrusters going. Prove to yourself that the waiting is over and the hoping is past -- that faith and action have now taken charge.
It's a new day, a new beginning for your new life. With discipline you will be amazed at how much progress you'll be able to make. What have you got to lose except the guilt and fear of the past?
Now, I offer you this challenge: See how many things you can start and continue in this -- the first day of your new beginning.
For who ever might be interested
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RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Hi guys
the article above by a great coach/motivational speaker such as Jim Rohn ends with a challenge.
Jim says..
Now, I offer you this challenge: See how many things you can start and continue in this -- the first day of your new beginning.
So, how many of us are going to take it up?
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
I'm there!
(as a person who loves affirmations) I really found this interesting..... Its true, there is no point me having affirmations, if Im not going to act upon them.
You will be pleased to know that regarding my patience affirmation (am still doing it ;)) I have actually recognised & apologised for my impatient actions (taken a few deep breaths) and tried again!
Am now making action lists etc so I can monitor just how well Im doing!! Will keep you posted 😀
Challenge on..... I have some major work tasks to finish today... Will let you know tomorrow if I accomplish 😉
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
How true,
I suspect most of us have had such a phase at least once in our lives[&:] I know I have had a few, sometimes the proverbial kick up the backside does not penetrate the cosy feeling of the affirmations and we lull ourselves into thinking we are getting somewhere (we are, but the wrong direction).
I have actually been going by the ideas in Alex's post for a while now and it has helped me a lot in getting out of my doldrums. One lesson I learnt also was not to try and do too much too fast otherwise one trips over ones own feet, a bit like the saying "trying to run before you can walk" I did that too:D.
I do like reading these things here as they remind me to keep at it, especially when the lazy evenings of summer come round and I would prefer to sit in the garden with a glas in my hand and enjoy the peace and dreams, sometimes I have to sacrifice that, but then the next time is better.
Rocky.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Rocky
One lesson I learnt also was not to try and do too much too fast otherwise one trips over ones own feet, a bit like the saying "trying to run before you can walk" I did that too .
That is an excellent point - you must know me well!!! 😀 😀
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Rocky
thanks for the appreciation but ehi... do enjoy your evenings of relax and drink and soft twiting birds and... what ever else makes you happy! Just remember... tomorrow is another day to push your life forward again!
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
purpose..... the focus / action / goal setting must be working!!! 5 out of 7 actions completed. Not bad as that only leaves me with the 2 to do today!
Yee-ha [sm=dance.gif]
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
quote:
One lesson I learnt also was not to try and do too much too fast otherwise one trips over ones own feet, a bit like the saying "trying to run before you can walk" I did that too .
Hmmm, why is this something I always do? Is it because I am so eager to move to the next step, to get out of the depression/ situation etc that I don't give the dust time to settle first so that I can see where I actually am?
Does this mean I am too impatient? Or am I just too superficial, as in not hanging around long enough to delve deeper to see the deeper truths that would probably help me more?
How do I change the habits of a lifetime? It all seems too big a task.
Oh... I just heard the answer to that ringing in my ears
.... One step at a time!
I hope it's OK to dip into this forum now and then. I've been posting re depression and many HP-ers have suggested coming here for guidance.
I think it will be a difficult task, I'm not exactly thinking positively, much less firing on all cylinders at the moment, but am I sincere and willing to try to help myself.
Take care,
Nicky
x
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
ORIGINAL: Naivetys Star
One lesson I learnt also was not to try and do too much too fast otherwise one trips over ones own feet, a bit like the saying "trying to run before you can walk" I did that too .
Hmmm, why is this something I always do? Is it because I am so eager to move to the next step, to get out of the depression/ situation etc that I don't give the dust time to settle first so that I can see where I actually am?
Very good point that one, one seems to get off to a screeching start, (Smell of burning rubber, smoke going everywhere) and then what [sm=scratchchin.gif]?
We loose orientation and go round in circles[&:] So for an analogy I will use a car, you get in, sit down, buckle up, check the mirrors, put the key in the ignition and switch on then you put the gear in and press the accelerator to move on slowly and as you pick up momentum you switch up a gear and accelerate and so forth, if you put your foot down from the word go you get the smoking tyres (and soon they are bald:()
Does this mean I am too impatient? Or am I just too superficial, as in not hanging around long enough to delve deeper to see the deeper truths that would probably help me more?
Maybe, but probably not like everything it will take time to get the hang of it just don't give up, you will learn a bit more each day.
How do I change the habits of a lifetime? It all seems too big a task.
Oh... I just heard the answer to that ringing in my ears
.... One step at a time!
there you go another step learnt:D
I hope it's OK to dip into this forum now and then. I've been posting re depression and many HP-ers have suggested coming here for guidance.
Fresh wind for all of us is good otherwise it would get stuffy:D:D
I think it will be a difficult task, I'm not exactly thinking positively, much less firing on all cylinders at the moment, but am I sincere and willing to try to help myself
.
Not once you get the momentum going, just remember to fill your tank up now andd then so you don't come to a standstill.
Take care,
Rocky.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
sarah
the focus / action / goal setting must be working!!! 5 out of 7 actions completed. Not bad as that only leaves me with the 2 to do today!
Well, what can I say but....
Fantastic!
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Nicky
first of all a warm welcome to the Life coaching forum! Find your way around and enjoy, you are certainly in one of the best places on HP.
Hmmm, why is this something I always do? Is it because I am so eager to move to the next step, to get out of the depression/ situation etc that I don't give the dust time to settle first so that I can see where I actually am?
Well as Rocky has said very well above there may well be different reasons. A possible cause may well be a certain level of insecurity and low self-confidence. It may well be that you want to achieve so much but to quickly that you find it difficult to set a clear time frame. Or it may also be that you are unsure about certain things and so you keep moving on trying different possibilities. We will need to talk more about this. feel free to PM if you want.
Does this mean I am too impatient? Or am I just too superficial, as in not hanging around long enough to delve deeper to see the deeper truths that would probably help me more?
Possibly but not necessarily. It may well just be that you are unfamiliar with certain situations or that you find it difficult to focus on certain things. It may also be that you want to experience different things.
How do I change the habits of a lifetime? It all seems too big a task. Oh... I just heard the answer to that ringing in my ears .... One step at a time!
Absolutely! Everything CAN be changed if there is enough will and motivation; but certainly one step at a time.
I hope it's OK to dip into this forum now and then. I've been posting re depression and many HP-ers have suggested coming here for guidance.
You are most welcomed Nicky! And as I said before you are in the right forum if you are wanting to move your life on and onto your goals and dreams.
I think it will be a difficult task, I'm not exactly thinking positively...
Nothing is too difficult Nicky if only... you want it enough! Do not put limits and barriers, do not put self-limiting beliefs but let your life go and live it to the full.
... much less firing on all cylinders at the moment, but am I sincere and willing to try to help myself.
And that is that matters. Good luck on your journey and you will find plenty of help from many of us in here.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Rocky
thanks so much for the great comment above. Ehi... it sounds as if you are learning to be a coach!
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Thank you Rocky and Alex for taking the time to reply in such depth.
Erm, I have sent you a PM Alex.
A cup of tea may be required as I got carried away with the outpouring again, forewarned is forearmed, I guess.
I hope I haven't taken advantage of your time with my epic PM.
Take care
Nicky
x
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Nicky
thanks for that. BTW... I will come back to you on the PM in a mo.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Hi Alex,
ORIGINAL: purpose
Rocky
thanks for the appreciation but ehi... do enjoy your evenings of relax and drink and soft twiting birds and... what ever else makes you happy! Just remember... tomorrow is another day to push your life forward again!
The problem being if one then on the next day does the same thing and thinks "Well tomorrow is another day", I believe the trick is to find the balance then it will work. It is so easy when you are relaxing and feeling good to get the false feelings of momentum. So sometimes my backside is somewhat bruised:)
Rocky.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Hi Alex,
ORIGINAL: purpose
Rocky
thanks so much for the great comment above. Ehi... it sounds as if you are learning to be a coach!
You are most welcome! No I just take the lessons in life and try to put them in an understandable picture, comes from having to explain things to kids([sm=banghead.gif] a feeling most of us know:D) and also having at some point started to learn from my mistakes.[&:]
But if i was offered enough who knows maybe I could become a "Guru":D:D
I don't think my teenagers would agree with that though:(:(
Rocky.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Hi Nicky,
ORIGINAL: Naivetys Star
Thank you Rocky and Alex for taking the time to reply in such depth.
No problem, you know one good thing about writing these posts is also that it gets your own focus back there where it should be and helps to stop slacking[&:] As in my above post about garden and glass of wine[&:] I am glad it helped you.
Rocky.
RE: Action vs. self-delusion
Hi Poppy,
looks like you it got you now!! Cool and don't forget to celebrate the achievments, you always need a little reward for success.
have a good weekend
Rocky.