#Middlebury
Insights for constructive living
By PAT IANNUZZI
I doubt that it’s a secret to anybody that the key element for achievement is action. The only way anything ever gets done in our lives is if we consciously and actively apply ourselves to making it happen. We may think about doing something and talk about it extensively – usually to ourselves – but without action nothing ever happens. Nothing happens because we never get started.
We usually rationalize to ourselves that the time isn’t right yet or that we need to plan more or prepare better in some way or another. Often, however, the time never becomes right. Even worse, if we become really inspired about doing something and don’t take action right away, the inspiration begins to dissipate, and before we know it, a great idea has essentially faded away.
The usual recommended remedy for this unproductive state of affairs is commitment. Generally speaking, a commitment is a promise or pledge we make to someone or something. In this case, we are talking about a commitment to action. But “commitment” is a word that often implies a lot but doesn’t deliver much. What does it really mean if I say “I’m committed to take action?” Action how? Action when? How would others ever know that I have acted on my commitment? Another problem with “commitment” is that many people perceive it as a promise or pledge that is intended to happen in the future, which may only serve to compound the problem of never getting started.
Perhaps it would be more productive if we thought in terms of making an investment instead of making a commitment. “Investment” is a more definite, tangible concept that unlike “commitment,” connotes decisive action. If a person invests money in a new automobile, house or business, he or she is clearly demonstrating action, whereas committing to buying them only indicates that such a purchase may possibly happen at some point down the road or perhaps never happen at all. The second benefit of making an investment is that it is usually associated with some level of risk, and as with any risk we take, we are naturally compelled do whatever we need to do (i.e., more action) to protect our investment
So if there is something you’ve been thinking of doing, you must invest in it. You must invest in it now. Perhaps it may involve money, but most likely it will only require an investment of time and effort. It may be as simple as an investment in a phone call. Your investment should consist of something meaningful. Otherwise there will be no risk involved and, hence, there will be no value associated with it. However, when you have something of value at stake, your attention will be sharply focused on your objective, and things will start to happen. No matter what you desire to accomplish, once you have some skin in the game, you will be much more motivated to take action.
Additionally, once you’ve acted by investing, it will often seem that previously invisible outside forces will unexpectedly come to your aid. Furthermore, once you are invested, you will be compelled to seek opportunities that you wouldn’t even have been aware of before.
Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiont Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.
