Lesson 38 - 'Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become...'

Don’t you just love that quote. I wish I could take credit for it, but this is from James Clear. If you haven’t come across James Clear he is the author of the best-selling book ‘Atomic Habits’, a book I go back to regularly. I recommend it if you haven’t already read it.

Here is what I like about this quote:

1) It makes the link between taking action and how that moves you towards your goal. It doesn’t deal in big overtures. It doesn’t overcomplicate. It simply states that for every action you take big or small, it moves you one step closer to the person you want to be.

2) It has an overwhelmingly positive emphasis. This is a typical approach for any coach or psychotherapist. We know that our brains work when we tell them what to do rather than what not to do. If I say to you right now ‘I want you to not think about a red apple’ I know full well you are reading this and thinking about a red apple.

I say this time and time again. Whether it is toned abs, greater confidence, financial freedom or a work promotion. These things come through consistent and repeated action. They come from being ruthlessly focussed on the outcome we want to achieve and doing small things every single day to get us there. They come from processes and systems that we put in place to enable us to take those actions every single day with ease (and minimal resistance). They also come from being honest with ourselves when we haven’t quite taken the actions we want (too many roast potatoes for yesterday’s Sunday lunch anyone or was it just me?) and then figuring out how to get back on track.

So, take a moment here and think about this...

Who is the person you want to become? How would others describe you? What values do you stand for? What do you look like? How do you sound? What kind of energy do you put out into the world?

Pick one of those questions right now and think about what you would like the answer to be.

Then, ask yourself what one small action you can take today, tomorrow and every day thereafter to move you closer to that answer.

Now go away and put a process or a system around it. Financial freedom your goal? Can you round up your spare digital change on your account and sweep it into savings. If so, can you automate it on your bank account. Looking to shift some persistent weight around the middle? Can you replace one unhealthy snack with something less calorific that you will still enjoy? Can you prep that snack the night before so you just have to grab it from the fridge the next day. Looking for greater confidence? Can you write something positive about yourself each day in a journal or an app? Can you block out 5 minutes in your diary each day to do it?

Actions don’t have to be big to make an impact. The small steps often count most.