Five Tips for Taking Action

actionFive Tips for Taking Action

Hey everyone!

I originally intended to get this post up yesterday but things got in the way. So, better late than never, as they say!

If you’ve read any of my recent blog posts you’ll no doubt have noticed that I have spoken about consistency quite a lot. There is a reason for that – it’s because it’s IMPORTANT!

Yesterday I received a great comment on this post from Terry Henry. Actually, I have just checked and it was actually two days ago!! I was sure it was yesterday! So, in fact, this post is two days late! (Or maybe three, technically, if I end up not getting this published until after midnight!) Sorry about that 🙁 Anyhoo, whilst I was reading and responding to Terry’s comment the idea for this post came to me.

Just to go back to the subject of consistency again, are you consistent? If you’re successful in your business then yes, it’s likely that you are. But if you’re unsuccessful or even lazy then yes, you too are likely consistent. How so?

Well you can be consistent in different ways. If you want your business to grow and be profitable then it’s vital that you’re consistent in taking action. I’ve often heard a lot of the marketers that I look up to encourage their students to take “massive action” and there is a reason that they give this advice. It’s because consistent, decisive action pays dividends. Even if you make mistakes, you can learn from them and keep going.

But it’s equally possible to be consistent with the wrong things. For example, you can be consistent in jumping from ‘shiny object’ to ‘shiny object’. Or perhaps you’re consistent in procrastinating. Maybe you’re consistent in doing nothing!

So you see, although it’s important to be consistent you need to be consistent with the right things and the biggest aspect of this is taking ACTION.

So I thought that I’d throw a few pointers out there that will hopefully be helpful with this. I’m going to list five things, which is by no means an exhaustive list and it doesn’t mean that it’s the list of top pointers. It’s just a few tips that I think are important and, at the bottom of the post, I’d love for you to leave a comment as to what five things (or however many you feel) you would list.

So here we go…

  • 1) Have a clear goal. You must have something to aim for, a point for everything that you’re doing. After all, if you don’t know why you’re doing something then why are you doing it? Having a goal to work towards gives you focus and helps you to feel motivated to take that action. Write your goal(s) down!
  • 2) Have a plan. Once you have a goal then you need a plan of action. So think about how you intend to reach you goal and, again, get it written down. It doesn’t matter if your plan turns out to not be quite right. It can be adjusted as you go along and oftentimes, as we learn, it will be adjusted many times. But having some sort of plan will again help you to have focus and will give you things upon which to take action.
  • 3) Have a proven system. If you’re a beginner then it’s likely that you don’t have much experience or you’re lacking some vital knowledge. Getting yourself a proven system to follow is a huge help, perhaps getting yourself a mentor too. But you need to be careful when choosing a system. There are many ‘systems’ for sale out there but be careful of the hype. Make sure you choose one that has real testimonials from real people who can show their real results from following it. Hence, a proven system.
  • 4) Join a community. I read recently that Internet marketing can sometimes be a lonely profession. Well it needn’t be. There are plenty of helpful, active communities online that are filled with people all with different abilities and experience levels who can help you when you need it. Sometimes you need help, especially if you don’t yet have the skill or experience in a certain area. Don’t be a martyr!
  • 5) Have the desire. This is linked with point number one really, but is an important point on its own. Having a goal is good, but you need to make sure that your goal is the right one. Sure, you want your business to make money, but why do you want to make money? What’s the ultimate purpose, the ultimate goal? Once you have established what that is then you will really have the desire to strive ahead and reach it.

So there are my five tips. You could summarise them this way: Goal, Plan, System, Community, Desire – GPSCD.

actionWe’re on an Internet marketing journey together, right? Well imagine that you’re in your car, heading actiontowards your goal. What can contribute to a more pleasant and successful journey? Well you can follow your GPS (Goal, Plan and System) that will help you to reach your destination, whilst listening to your CD (Community and Desire) that will make the journey more pleasant! 😉

I hope that you enjoyed this post. What tips would you give that you think help to take action? Please leave them in the comments section below 🙂

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28 thoughts on “Five Tips for Taking Action”

  1. James Robinson

    I lack consistency. One moment, I’m invested in one project. Then a few weeks later, I’m dropping it like a hot potato. But now I’m learning to stay focus.

    1. Hi James,

      Welcome to my blog, thanks for visiting 🙂

      It can be so hard to remain consistent, especially with so much information being available to us. The main key to whatever it is that you do online is to keep it simple. Don’t over-complicate things, take things one step at a time and stick with that one task until you’re ready to move on to the next. Hopefully my 5 tips above will help you to do that 🙂

      Thanks for your comment, stop by any time.

      Kind regards,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Are You Sending Your Visitors Away?My Profile

  2. Don’t you love how posts are inspired from comments Glenn? I’m always telling my readers that I learn so much from the comments as well as the posts.

    You’re right about everyone being consistent. Heck, they can be consistent in not taking action at all. I always preach though that you definitely need to take the right action steps and be consistent with them and those people will see results. The massive action was hammered into my head as well and depending on what I wanted to accomplish at a particular time, I’ve done that too.

    The main thing here is knowing the right steps to take and then once again, being consistent with your action steps. Of course your tips are extremely helpful as well because to me, being part of a community is where you can reach out for help or assistance if needed. It’s been a life savor for me as well.

    Thanks for the inspiration and like you said, better late then never.

    ~Adrienne
    Adrienne recently posted…60 Tips Of Blogging AdviceMy Profile

    1. Hi Adrienne,

      Many thanks for your comment 🙂

      I think it’s the post previous to this one where I actually talk about how you can be consistent in doing nothing. Taking action is essential as the only sure-fire way to get nowhere is to do nothing.

      As you say, once you know the right steps to take you then need to be consistent in taking them. But also, I think it’s important not to spread yourself too thinly. My mentor, Dean Holland often says that once you’ve found something that works then stick with it. Focus on leveraging the thing that works rather than trying to take too much on board, especially at the beginning.

      Thanks again for visiting and sharing your valuable insight, it’s much appreciated as always 🙂

      Regards,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Are You Consistently Consistent?My Profile

  3. Hi Glenn,
    Brother you said most of all that could be said. I would just like to add credibility. I think this a key ingredient for being successful, without it one is loosing the race before starting. Too many persons promise one thing but either deliver nothing or something completely different with various explanations. It was a very good article and I have enjoyed reading it. I have shared your post with my friends on the social media.

    Continue the good writing.
    Vinton

    1. Hi Vinton,

      Welcome to my blog and thanks for your comment 🙂 I hope you don’t mind me saying that I love your name! I have never heard of the name Vinton before, but I think it’s very cool! 🙂

      You’re absolutely correct about credibility. This is something that is very important to me and it is something that I pride myself on being. As you say, there are too many people who promise one thing but don’t deliver or don’t deliver what they’ve promised. Although I’m still a beginner, if I can be a shining light amidst these people then hopefully I can help others.

      I’m glad that you enjoyed the post, thanks so much for sharing, I appreciate it very much indeed.

      Kind regards,
      Glenn 🙂
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Consistency is Key & the Golden RuleMy Profile

  4. Nice post, taking action is so important. You give some great tips that are sure to help a lot of people. I appreciate it. Thanks.

  5. Neamat Tawadrous

    Hi Glenn,

    Great post about the right consistency and taking action.

    Consistent daily actions are the secret to success. Consistent actions produce consistent results but as you explained here, it had to be consistency doing the right things.

    Working your business consistently means setting goals, developing a plan of action and working the plan regularly. Consistency in business equals reliability, and reliability is an essential element for establishing a successful business.

    I see lots of people write down their goals and have a plan in place but have difficulty in taking action but unfortunately without taking action there will be no achievements.

    Thanks Glenn for a great reminder about consistency and taking action. Have a great weekend.

    Be Blessed,

    Neamat

    1. HI Neamat,

      Thanks so much for your thoughts, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      I like that you mentioned reliability. This is something that is, as you say, is an essential element for a successful business.

      Thanks for visiting, it’s appreciated as always 🙂

      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…$2000 in 60 Days Challenge ResultsMy Profile

  6. Hey Glenn,

    Great post! Consistency is important and works well along with persistence. Also taking action is important as long as it moves toward your desired goals. Too often we can end up making choices to take action that moves us further away from rather than towards our desired results.

    Good advice about the need for implementing a system and presenting a precaution about whose system you choose. But as you well know, even well intentioned programs still fall short and it is really up to you to develop and fine tune a system that works for you. The key is not to take years to do it and gobs of money. But once you do find it, doing it consistently is paramount.

    Michel
    Michel Snook recently posted…Postponed but now back on trackMy Profile

    1. Hey Michel,

      Thanks for stopping by, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

      Yes, taking the right sort of action is a must. Alex Jeffreys often talks about the dangers of being “a busy fool”, in other words doing a lot but accomplishing little. You really do have to focus on taking action that’s needed and putting everything else to the back, otherwise you end up expending a lot of energy, time and maybe even money for things that generate little return and that you could have easily have avoided doing.

      Many thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts, buddy 🙂

      Glenn

  7. Hi Glen,

    really clever! Your description of consistency in this post made me think. Yeah, consistency to distract yourself is so easy. I just never thought of it this way until I read it here.

    I bet you that the ones that succeed have a consistently crystal clear focus and the ones that are not doing well or failing have a consistently wandering mind.

    Regards,

    Dita
    Dita recently posted…Exciting Conclusion Of Challenge To Make Money BloggingMy Profile

    1. Hey Dita,

      I agree, the ones who aren’t doing well probably have a consistently wandering mind. That’s something that I really need to be careful of myself, which is why having a clear set of goals and a plan is so vitally important.

      I’m glad that you found the post useful. Thanks for your support as always 🙂

      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Are You Consistently Consistent?My Profile

  8. Hey Glenn,

    Very well said. We all need reminders that we NEED to take action, and not continue to ‘hoard’ information that I’m not going to use right now. Rich Schefren calls this ‘Just in Time learning, as opposed to Just in Case learning’.

    Thanks again for laying it all out so well. 🙂

    Nice to see another MWA student taking action and doing well.

    Like your website design too.

    Regards,
    Ben.
    Ben Solomon recently posted…My Line in the Sand . . . This is where it all begins . . .My Profile

    1. Hi Ben,

      Thanks for stopping by and for your compliments. I’m glad you like the post and the site 🙂

      I like the Rich Schefren reference, I haven’t heard it before but it’s very good.

      To be completely open and honest, I need to get back into the MWA training. Recently I’ve been concentrating on what I’ve been doing as one of Dean Holland’s License Rights Partners but Alex’s training is invaluable and I’m anxious to get back into it.

      I hope all is going good for you, I’ll be sure to check out your blog 🙂

      Regards,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Don’t Stop Buying WSOs!My Profile

  9. John Brewer

    Hey Glenn,

    This is one awesome post and I have to say that I love the acronym and how you put it together to be easily remembered.

    I know that I have to remember these principles all the time.

    Action + Plan = (Success Over Time) every time.

    I look forward to reading more from your blog.

    Thanks and Let’s Ride,

    John Brewer

    1. Hi John,

      Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and like the acronym 🙂

      I appreciate your visit and comment, please feel free to drop by any time.

      All the best,
      Glenn 🙂
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…What is your “Why”?My Profile

      1. John Brewer

        Hey Glenn,

        Needed your permission before I did something. I want to use your acronym on a forum post as well as a blog post. Is that alright with you?

        I will link back to your blog for credit purposes.

        Let me know and thanks for visiting my blog the other day.

        Let’s Ride,

        John Brewer

  10. Charles

    Number 5 must be the most important. All these people who don’t take action, it must be because they don’t enjoy what they’re doing. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you’re not going to get very far in this business and you might as well give up.

    I find it sad that people need to be repeatedly told to take action. If you hate this so much that it’s a chore, I’m of the belief that you should focus your energy on something that you do enjoy.

    1. Hi Charles,

      Absolutely! If it’s a chore then something is clearly wrong and you need to make adjustments. That, in itself, requires action of course!

      I think that there’s a variety of reasons for not taking action, or not taking the correct action. Sometimes people have been misled or let down so much that they sometimes do things half-hearted and don’t realise the value of consistently performing even the simplest of tasks. That’s where point number 3 comes in, especially the mentor aspect. A mentor can pick you up when you fall down and can give you a boost or a kick in the pants when you need it!

      Of course, not everyone is cut out for working in IM and if it’s really not for them then they’d be much better focusing their attention and energy on something else, something that they can enjoy. But, more often than not, I think that it’s a case of people just needing a little nudge in the right direction now and again.

      Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment, Charles. It’s appreciated very much 🙂

      Regards,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket!My Profile

  11. Glen, sounds like you have a product in the works there my friend. It’s a very well laid out and easy to follow outline you have that any newbie marketer or entrepreneur should be able to follow. I highly emphasize the mentor part of your breakdown. That to me is critical to streamlining your learning curve and giving you a quicker path to your ultimate goals. Thanks for sharing bro and keep up the great work.
    Jerry Handy recently posted…Moving in the right direction-Week 6My Profile

    1. Hey Jerry,

      A product? Shhhhh! Don’t tell everyone! lol :-p

      I know that a lot of people scoff at the idea of having a mentor, but I wonder if they’ve ever used one? Having that backing and help from a real person can make an enormous difference, especially if you’re a newbie.

      Thanks for stopping by, Jerry. Welcome as always 🙂

      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…You Have the Knowledge!My Profile

    1. Hi Tim,

      Thanks for your visit and comment 🙂

      I can absolutely relate to where you’re coming from, buddy. I have been there SO many times, it’s not funny!

      My advice would be to take your long-term goal and break it down into progressively smaller goals. It doesn’t mater if you aren’t skilled or confident enough at the moment to achieve the larger goals, just keep on breaking each one down. And make sure you write it all down! 😉 I don’t know if you have ever tried using them, but perhaps experiment with mindmaps. I could never go back now after discovering how useful they are.

      Once you have your plan of smaller goals that lead to slightly bigger ones each time then look at each of the smaller steps and put aside the ones that aren’t necessary. The non-essentials can always be returned to later, just focus on the things that will help you to progress and will lead you on to your next goal.

      Above all, keep things as simple as you possibly can. Don’t spread yourself too thinly and keep on taking consistent action.

      I’m glad you’re making steady progress, that’s awesome! You’re absolutely right, the money will come in time. Try not to think about the money too much, just focus on providing great content. Things will start to fall in place, I’m sure.

      I look forward to seeing your progress 🙂

      All the best,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…You Have the Knowledge!My Profile

  12. Love these points, Glenn.

    I think it’s super important to note that a lot of “ACTION” is pretty much a consequence of having those five points, in the sense that the mind becomes more convinced and inclined to take action. So people who have all of these are in very good positions to execute.

    Having a clear goal and plan is so vital because it keeps us awake and aware of where we’re going when we’re buried in the process. I know it does for me.

    – Danny

    1. Hi there Danny,

      Thanks so much for your comment, buddy.

      You’re absolutely spot on and I think that, although it’s just a relatively simple thing, a lot of people get things the wrong way around. For example, someone who’s starting out with an online business clearly wants to do what’s necessary in order for it to be successful but they focus on that (ie, what do I need to do to make money!?) before focusing on the things they need to ensure are in place first.

      I like how you mentioned being “buried in the process”. This is an excellent analogy as when lots of things get on top of us and we feel a bit overwhelmed, it certainly does feel like being buried. But having that clear goal and plan is like a lifeline that we can cling on to and keep us centered.

      Thanks for visiting, come back any time 🙂

      Regards,
      Glenn
      Glenn Shepherd recently posted…What is your “Why”?My Profile

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