We often associate achieving success with having lots of money, a fancy brand-new car, or a big house. Yet, success looks different to everyone. For a father being successful might mean having his children and wife fall at his feet every time he comes back home; for a student being successful might mean getting a STAR on an exam. In a nutshell, success has many faces, it comes in many different shapes and forms. However, if we understand what impacts our ability to succeed, we can achieve more and stay on track to the level of success we want. That’s why today I want to share with you the n.1 mistake ordinary people make that achievers don't, the one that prevents you from being successful, whatever success means to you.
MOTION VS ACTION - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE AND WHICH ONE IS ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR SUCCESS?
Do you feel like you are racking your brain, coming up with great ideas, yet, still getting nowhere?
Then, you might be in motion vs action!
When you first look at it, you may think there is not such a big difference between the two.
This is the N.1 mistake a lot of people make though!
In fact, it makes all the difference in the world whether you are in motion mode or in action mode.
James Clear, the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, refers to this as motion vs action, that is, the difference between being unsuccessful and becoming successful.
In James Clear’s words:
“The two ideas sound similar, but they’re not the same. When you’re in motion, you’re planning and strategizing, and learning. Those are all good things, but they don’t produce a result.
Action, on the other hand, is the type of behavior that will deliver an outcome.
If I outline twenty ideas for articles I want to write, that’s motion. If I actually sit down and write an article, that’s action. If I search for a better diet plan and read a few books on the topic, that’s motion. If I actually eat a healthy meal, that’s action.
Sometimes motion is useful, but it will never produce an outcome by itself. It doesn’t matter how many times you go talk to a personal trainer, that motion will never get you in shape. Only the action of working out will get the result you’re looking to achieve”.
WHY DO WE OPT FOR BEING IN MOTION?
If we realize that only action leads to results, why on earth do we procrastinate with being in motion?
We stay in motion for a couple of reasons.
The first can be vital; sometimes we need more information or planning before we can actually start the action steps.
Take for example this blog post.
I researched the topic, jotted down some ideas, and thought about an outline and each paragraph.
These actions did not provide a tangible result but were needed to help me finally write the post.
The second reason why you may be stuck in motion is more common.
In James Clear’s words:
“Motion allows us to feel like we’re making progress without running the risk of failure. Most of us are experts at avoiding criticism. It doesn’t feel good to fail or to be judged publicly, so we tend to avoid situations where that might happen. And that’s the biggest reason why you slip into motion rather than taking action: you want to delay failure.
It’s easy to be in motion and convince yourself that you’re still making progress.
Motion makes you feel like you’re getting things done. But really, you’re just preparing to get something done.
When preparation becomes a form of procrastination, you need to change something. You don’t want to merely be planning. You want to be practicing”.
In short, when you are constantly in motion mode you are fooling yourself, by being busy, yet not productive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If being in motion does have its level of importance, just dwelling on it, does not take you anywhere.
Being in motion is comfortable. However, only out of discomfort comes greatness.
Taking action is harder because it requires you to step out of your comfort zone, and as a result, to do things that are hard and scary.
But shifting from mainly being in motion to taking action can be a game-changer for your future success.
“Feel the Fear. Do it anyway”. - Jillian Michaels
What I’d like you to do now is to look at what you are doing on a daily, weekly basis and to ask yourself, “Am I in motion mode or in action mode”?
Remember, motion alone will never produce the result you want. Action will.
What are you going to choose?
Will you be a motion-taker or an action-taker?
Before you go, don’t miss - HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING – A 7-STEP PATHWAY - a blog post I wrote especially for you.
You are going to learn what the root of your PROCRASTINATION is. Most importantly, you will discover the 7 steps that if followed will enable you to STOP procrastinating and START getting things done.
More resources for YOU:
I have never heard about this action versus motion and differentiation. very useful – thank you
You are very welcome Mikolaj, I am glad you have learned something new. 😃