Action vs. Delay – Part III

This is last in the Action vs. Delay series.  Please take time to review Part I and Part II if you haven’t read them yet.

Again, I’d like to thanks ICA…they have been such a great source of inspiration and information.

Recognizing Delay

Delay can manifest in many forms. We are each very creative in the excuses that we make to ourselves to justify delaying action. We must be able to recognize delay. Delay often manifests as procrastination- putting things off until critical mass is reached. When we procrastinate on taking action, we become re-active, rather than taking the proactive approach of anticipating and acting.

Taking Action – The First Step

Edward de Bono refers to taking action as ‘`operacy”. He describes operacy as the skills of doing, which are an important aim for moving forward and developing. The practical skills gained in the process of developing a new idea (a strategy for action), developing a plan of how to implement the idea and then implementing that as an action, are important life skills. Operacy is the learning involved as we move through the process of creative thinking, developing action plans, implementing these plans and reviewing the effects of the actions. This process keeps us on the move.

Daily Ritual/Practice

Create a daily ritual/practice that energizes you, connects you with your goals and motivates you to take action towards your personal success. For some of us, this may take the form of meditation. Others may choose to go for a walk, swim, run or other form of solitary exercise. Some people may choose to write in a journal. This daily renewal practice can take any form, as long as it inspires you to move forward.

Contemplation

• What areas of your life are you not taking action in at the moment and why?
• What does it feel like when you are not taking action?
• What steps did you take to achieve a goal and can you apply these steps to moving forward towards another goal?

Coaching Application

Techniques for Managing Delay

As a coach, I know that action leads to results and results will lead to personal success and personal empowerment. My clients also know this. But just knowing this isn‘t enough. Knowing it and doing it are two very different things. For some of my clients, taking action is not always easy. Most people know what they need to do; it is not acting on that knowledge that prevents them from accomplishing their ambitions. So what is it that holds my clients back (and possible you)?

Address Fears

If we want to make changes in our lives, we will have to develop the mental strength and face fear. The only way around fear is to move through it, over it or around it…this will create a compound mental strength affect. I assist my clients to examine their underlying fears and help them create an empowering perspective. I help them overcome their fears by tackling whatever seems to stay in the way of their progress.

Address Underlying Beliefs

Is there a UB sabotaging the stated goal? Is my client committed to failing? Avoiding failure? Success? Or trying to stay “safe” by avoiding something? UB‘s that are not supporting my client in achieving action will always be discussed.

Create a Shift in Perspective

I also help my clients create a new and different way of looking at a situation. I do this by asking a question, pointing out a different point of view, or creating a compelling vision.

Another empowering perspective that I examine with my clients is the belief that discomfort and fear are natural feelings associated with change. Helping my clients to recognize these feelings when they come up and perceive them as a good thing because they are proof that change is occurring, can help my clients embrace and move through these uncomfortable feelings. These uncomfortable feelings may even motivate my clients to keep moving forward in action because it means that they are making progress!

Here are a few ideas that I use to support my client to create a shift in perception:

• What would you do if you had your courageous hat on right now?
• What could be the first step you take today to move forward?
• What do you look like when you are in action?

Managing delay is only half of the puzzle. In my coaching, sometimes the only thing my client needs is to take action. Action itself has power in it. That power is two fold. We already know that nothing happens without action. That in and of itself makes action extremely powerful. But action also has the power to create momentum and motivate us to keep going! Simply taking action has the power to help one come unstuck.

Techniques for Creating Action

Here are some techniques that I use with my clients to shift from inaction or Delay, to Action.

• Goal Setting and Specificity

Sometimes all that is missing is an inspiring goal or a pathway forward.  I help paint an exciting future for my clients so that they will create a “future pull.” If my client can see what major steps need to be taken, and where they need to start, it‘s much easier to begin- it may even make the goal seem doable or achievable.

• Strategic Questioning

Asking questions and promoting thought is another way of supporting my clien’s to move forward. Strategic questions can create movement and foster creativity. They are open-ended and can promote new thinking and lead to strategies for action. Strategic questioning can be an empowering process that guides my clients through a logical sequence for turning concerns into action.

• Using Tools

There are many available tools (NLP, Time Empowerment ®, and Hypnosis) that I use to work with my clients in moving them forward into action. Remember that these are tools only and that a tool doesn‘t address our beliefs or struggles. A tool creates a system that I use to support my coaching. If my clients are not moving forward then I need to look at what is delaying them. I need to have this conversation with my clients; I need to support them in being in action and moving forward. As we all know…moving forward fills us with confidence and gives us the strength to take the next step, right?

Reflection

• What are some powerful questions you could ask yourself to move you forward into action?
• What tools could you use to support yourself around action?

References

de Bono, Edward, 1999, New Thinking for the New Millenium, Viking Publisher, UK.

My e-book, “Develop the Mental Strength of a Warrior” can assist you tremendously in moving from delay to action.  If you’d like to experience Coaching for Success request your Introductory Consultation.

OK…how are you doing with your action?  Let me know in the comments below.