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7 Ways to Grow the Action Habit

pickthebrain.com — Despite the simplicity of this concept there is a perpetual shortage of people who excel at getting results. The action habit - the habit of putting ideas into action now - is essential to getting things done. Here are 7 ways you can grow the action habit

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  • aaronmp2003, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Good post about the need to take action instead of wasting a bunch of time making a strategy!
    • Neticule, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5I usually dont like most of the "X ways to do blah" stories, but this one was good, going to set it to my homepage for a few days to try and get it to sink in.
    • michaelinnotts, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1Why has the Internet turned into a big self-help book? I am so sick and tired of these "how to be richer, smarter, more successful, etc." pages, blogs, sites, cults (incl. GTD), and networks.
    • tsunamisteve, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1True, but sometimes developing a strategy is essential for any action to be effective. For example, don't go debating creationism if you don't know the basic science and observations that support evolution.
  • Deanblackoak, on 10/10/2007, -1/+26I plan on Digging this story...
    • Sinistocrat, on 10/10/2007, -0/+24I plan on replying to your comment. Holy ***** it worked!

      I'M A DOER!!
  • monkeycatDx, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1#6 Is my worst issue.
  • doctorfungi, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Girls need to stop reading Cosmopolitan and apply #1 to sex.
    • stevedclarke, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1#7 would be good too.
    • OctavioOrtiz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think you're wrong. How else will girls know the 832,394 different ways to please us?
    • timusca, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I can't agree with you more. Its so easy for women to demand romancing before giving in as though WE have to WORK for sex, but they somehow come out with sex AND the upper hand since we did exactly what they demanded.

      I wish my wife was easy... don't get me wrong, we have a great sex life, but sometimes I'd do anything to not have to do anything. Sex should be fun and crazy, not something you have to work for EVERY damn time.
      • DeQuinceysDiet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0"We have a great sex life" - and then you point out how you don't have a great sex life. Stop deluding yourself. Sounds like it's nowhere near great.
        • bullfrawg, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Wha? He says for them it's fun, but takes work. That's way better than "not much fun, but doesn't take much work." In fact, "no fun, no work" is easy to obtain: just have no sex at all. There's a world of difference. Sure, "mucho fun, happens when I say so" might be better. But sounds like he's doing alright.
  • chubbybubba, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4All good suggestions but I think this is something that can't be taught. Self motiviation has to come internally. I knew a kid who just woudn't do crap. He'd sit around all do doing nothing. His mom finally kicked him out and she actually moved out of state. When his friends (myself included) got tired of his lazy ass he ended up on the street and then in jail. He was a smart kid but just couldn't motivate himself, even for his own survival.
    • Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I think you're mostly right. However, it is possible for people to change and become more self-motivated. Unfortunately for your friend, the first step is realizing that you have a problem and then making up your mind to change. If you haven't truly decided to change then these sorts of lists are no use.
  • actorboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14Dammit. I found this article when I should have been working. Thanks bunches for the infinite loop of shame.
  • allenhotsauce, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0The article about" some tips for something" always can't find the essencal why we can't do that thing right and solve the issues.The methods to solve issues always be simple and easy for us to do.It say too complex.I can follow one tip but can't every one.
    • Rawler, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0no, thats because you're not a doer. You are not essencal and be a doer, for us to do.
  • BowieX, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9I've found one of the best tips is to ask yourself "Why not ME?"

    When you realise there's no good reason, stop making excuses for yourself, and realise you CAN achieve anything you set your mind to (hint: it's a cliché for a reason), you WILL get what you want.

    But as soon as you start doubting yourself, you fall off the rails.

    It IS simple. Just stop doubting yourself or making excuses for your own doubt. There's no excuse. Deal with it. Get moving.

    "Why NOT me!!"
    • orangysb, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Somebody's gonna do it, why not you?
    • DeQuinceysDiet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Good Morning President Carter. I'm still waiting for your follow-up "I'll Tell You Why Not".
  • wild, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1Wow. Nice fluff piece.
  • BGBear, on 10/10/2007, -4/+2This whole list could of been summarized by simply saying "get off your arse and do something instead of just thinking about it". Oh and if you agree with number 7 then you shouldn't be on this site :-)
  • schizogony, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Another DUH list on the front page of Digg.
  • phauna, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1Why the hell do people use the word 'grow' in such a bizarre way. You grow flowers, not habits. Also 'grow' refers mainly to things which make themselves develop, so it's even wrong as a metaphor.

    I'm now going to action my comment.
  • databoy, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0A very simplistic attitude to life. Unfortunately in the real world it is not as easy. People have periods of creativity and inactivity. The biggest factor is an individuals limitation of knowledge and experience. There was a motivational author in circulation about 15 years ago whose observation was: that a person will always get promoted to his level of incompetence. The most important factor in a person's life is to have a healthy balance between work and a social life. Read Digg but use your own intelligence for problem solving.
  • darny, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6#8 - Block your access to digg
  • FriskDown, on 10/10/2007, -1/+27. Get down to business immediately - It’s common practice for people to socialize and make small talk at the beginning of meetings. The same is true for individual workers. How often do you check email or RSS feeds before doing any real work? These distractions will cost you serious time if you don’t bypass them and get down to business immediately. By becoming someone who gets to the point you’ll be more productive and people will look to you as a leader.

    Great... now I feel guilty. Maybe I should stop poking around on Digg in the morning and get to work!
  • MrTeQ, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2Summary: Stop procrastinating, close your browser.
  • yellowsnowcone, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3When I write, you'll find me sitting in front of my PC, hands not moving ... THERE IS NO ACTION. When I am done writing, I begin to type.
  • nastronomical, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1In todays lazy ass culture good luck!
    • adrianmonk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0If today's culture really is lazy ass (and I suppose it is), that's even better for someone who is actually good at getting things better, because it lowers the bar and if you really get a lot of stuff done, you will stand out clearly and everyone will think of you as exceptional.
  • mordeci, on 10/10/2007, -4/+3How did this pop-psychology BS make the front page of digg. This is idiotic. If you think you can change your life through pithy slogans then you are HOPELESS!!
    • pantysniffer, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0"f you think you can change your life through pithy slogans then you are HOPELESS!!"
      - Best slogan eva!
  • LogicBomB, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1This isn't tips on how to grow the action habbit. This is traits of people who have already grown it.

    If I had no problem doing things now isntead of later I wouldn't need the list. It's like saying the best tip to being rich is to put in motion a great business idea. Well no ***** but that's getting a little ahead of ourselves isn't it?
  • rootguy420, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0buried as idiotic bs
  • lynx77, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1My ***** radar just went and started blowing blue smoke out of its ass.

    I think # 7 was the final straw......total bull.
  • OctavioOrtiz, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0I want to start at the second best time.... See you guys in a year!
  • UltraMegaFilms, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1What is the #2 way to do things instead of not do things? "Be a doer" Right.
  • flashback99, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1paradox: I've learned that I must comment immediately on this story for its good advice, but commenting constitutes wasting time and not doing the work I should be doing!
  • simpleid, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I'm a very Action person, have been all my life, I'll share a few things since I think it will contribute and may motivate someone out there.

    I play life like I play games, unlike a lot of people I tend to have a habit of trying to do everything in the most efficient manner for the largest gains in the shortest amount of time. I also spec my characters in games to be as ideal as possible at every level, by calculating how gear/weapons improve the characters exactly. (For most damage output (you can actually calculate life/def in to this since they directly affect the time over which you can do damage)).

    In other aspects as a programmer I seek the fastest methods to do low level calculations to implement a lot of more complex high level concepts. You have to, particle systems don't run well unless you carefully design the system to, dealing with vasts amount of information leads to some impressive effects and results. Such as with audio processing or adaptive networks, or any science which requires analyzing massive amounts of information.

    The secret to Action, is adjusting every aspect of your life constantly, to always work towards being a better more efficient person. Always acting to improve yourself, hence... Action.

    Some people I know and I'm beginning to do this graph their income and expenses and track their habits through excel, and careful analyze how they can improve their savings and money making. Investing is a good thing to get in to if you are addicted to efficiency and analysis.

    People who act, give themselves a lot to act on, keep yourself in to hobbies always.

    Hobbies are easy, a lot of people have the most trouble here, how to start them. Simple. I started small, a few years ago I had a goal that seemed unreachable (that's why these kinds of goals are ideal.) You break down the goal by doing research to discover and learn what the steps are required to achieve it. You then break down those in to the tools you need to achieve those tasks. At that point you learn how to use the tools individually, and you perform the necessary task. At some point after this you're goal will be achieved and you can start another one. That's a hobby which gives you experience and increases your knowledge and intellect in many ways.

    You're next step, is to do everything over, only better, faster, more efficiently.

    That's what it -really- means to take Action. You have to become it.
    • pantysniffer, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1didn't you know 12 years old are not allowed to post in this thread???
  • BoomShake007, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2i disagree to an extent with #5. sure, sometimes you find exactly what you're looking for by sitting down and writing, but many times that will only lead to frustration, sitting for hours with no real progress. No, instead you need to go and do light research in the field. Depending on the topic, visits to museums, historical places, or just watching the clouds could be what you need to get that spark of inspiration. Surfing the internet for sites relating at least slightly to your topic, wikipedia-ing background information, etc.

    writing for the sake of righting, with no real direction or purpose yet, is a wast IMO. That is, of course, only applicable to bits involving any creativity. If it's some technical lab report or something, where you're just giving data, interpretations, and recommendations, then go write the damn thing.
  • sloogy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0"a great idea to pitch your boss" might be this one:
    http://digg.com/videos_comedy/Movie_of_the_Week_Prank_Jump

  • reddikilowatt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0#8 - Use a font that can be seen from the ISS and lock it down tight.
  • Treoinmypocket, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Just don't send this on to any Democratic Congressman or Senators. It'll just make them feel bad about themselves.
  • RichG13, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I find reading all my websites and email before "digging in" really makes me most comfortable. It's when I'm in this mindset that I feel best. Now, I would argue that getting things done is simply a convoluted way to making your self feel better. Keeping this mindset, I've created a dynamic new plan meant to streamline and expedite your pleasure "bottom line." I call this the 3 Ways to Grow the Habit.

    1. Have a drink in the morning. Be it whiskey, beer, wine or some Kahlua in your coffee make sure you down that first drink as soon as you wake up. Most people leave their liquor in a cabinet. Try putting it on the nightstand or under your pillow. By doing this, you are creating a habit that will be satiated as soon as you wake up. You're already accomplishing something before you're out of bed. It's like your Japanese all of a sudden! It's been said that 70% of Americans do not enjoy getting up in the morning. You have a leg up on all of theses people as you will HAVE to wake up for that drink in a few short weeks!

    2. Depress depression with food. Didn't get that promotion? Just had another painful breakup? Use the filling of a Twinkie to salve those deep wounds of the everyday world. Therapy can take weeks, months and even years. Eating delicious lasagna or downing a bag of Doritos will take that pain away every time for a lot less money!!! Feeling blue shortly thereafter? YOU CAN EAT MORE!!!

    3. Watch more movies. Coming up with ideas can be tough enough, let alone IMPLEMENTING them. Let Hollywood do the grunt work! Honestly, do you think you can come up with a better idea than E.T.? Didn't think so. Paging Mr. Spielberg!

    Courage is usually what gets people killed whether it's in wars or saving people from burning buildings. America was built on hard work, but do you think they wanted us to work hard FOREVER??? Seems a tad silly. Take advantage of the hard work of our forefathers. Don’t slap them in the face.
  • MRubenzahl, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Excellent. Concise, actionable.
  • Schrocker, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Well done! I hope this diggs on a lot of PPL!
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