Seven Ways to Get Comfortable with Taking Action
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One of the biggest challenges we face as human beings are getting comfortable with taking action. When it comes to our careers, many of us have a tendency to talk ourselves out of taking any risks or making any bold moves that could lead to career advancement. But, if you want to move forward in your career and get the promotions you deserve, you’ll need to get comfortable with taking action. A big part of being successful comes down to execution and the courage it takes to take action when necessary. While you may be able New York-based career coach, author, and host of The Action Plan podcast Elna Baker has written an article explaining how you can get comfortable with taking action when necessary. Here are 7 ways that you can start getting comfortable with action today:
Make a to-do list every day
The first thing you can do to get comfortable with taking action is by creating a daily to-do list. A to-do list is a great way to structure your day and focus on the things that need attention. You can use a physical notepad or create an online to-do list to keep yourself on track. When you are creating your to-do list, you want to keep in mind two important things. First, you want to remove the things that are not important enough to take action on. You’ll be surprised at how many things on your to-do list are not actually actionable. The second thing you want to keep in mind is what type of action you want to take. While you may have the desire to take a specific action on your list, you may be afraid to take a step in the wrong direction. Make sure that the actions you are taking are ones that will move you forward in your career and will help you achieve your career goals.
Start with a small change
One of the best ways to get comfortable with taking action is to make a small change to your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator or making a change to the way you organize your desk. The key here is to make the change as simple as possible. You don’t want to go too far out of your way, but you also don’t want to make too little of a change either. Look for ways to start small and build from there. Make sure that you document the change as well. Keeping a journal or note app on your phone can be a great way to track your small changes and document improvements. This way, when it comes to taking action, you have proof of what worked and didn’t work.
Talk to new people
Another way that you can get comfortable with taking action is by making more of an effort to talk to new people. As an aspiring professional, you’re going to find yourself in many situations where you have the opportunity to make professional connections with other professionals. These could be in networking events or, if you’re in a position where you regularly have to talk to customers, it could also be in networking situations with customers. Be intentional about conversations with other people. Not only will this help you make connections, but it’s also a great way to get comfortable with talking to people. Having to get comfortable talking to people is a great way to build a network of business contacts and professional connections.
Don’t be afraid to mentor or coach others
Another thing that you can do to get comfortable with taking action is by mentoring or coaching others. There are a ton of ways that you can mentor or coach others. You could do this through social media, or, in in-person at meetups or conferences. There are also a ton of online resources. Mentoring or coaching others can be a great way for you to help others and get comfortable with action at the same time. This can be a great way for you to help others gain new skills and build their network, while also getting comfortable with taking action on your own. When you mentor or coach others, don’t be afraid to have your own objectives as well. This is perfectly normal and will help you stay focused on the things that are important to you and help others get comfortable with the action.
Don’t build your career on your own steam
Another thing that you can do to get comfortable with taking action is by taking steps to build your own network. As you build your own network, you should keep in mind that it’s a two-way street. You need to be willing to help others build their networks as well. Businesses survive off of a network and there’s no better way to help both yourself and others than by building your own network. You can use a variety of different tools and strategies to build your own network. A great way to build your own network is by joining community groups, such as parenting groups, networking groups, and other groups where you can meet people. You can also use social media to build your own network by connecting with people on LinkedIn and other platforms. You can also use tools, such as MixMax, to build your own network.
Find an accountability buddy
Another thing that you can do to get comfortable with taking action is by finding an accountability buddy. An accountability buddy is someone that you partner with to help keep you accountable when it comes to taking action. There are tons of ways that you can find an accountability buddy, but one great way is by using online networks, such as meetups or online forums, or in-person groups that you can attend. When you find an accountability buddy, make sure that they’re someone that is going to hold you accountable while also helping you stay focused on the path to your goals. An accountability buddy should be someone that pushes you to take action and stay focused on your goals. One of the best ways to stay accountable is by using an accountability buddy. When you find an accountability buddy, make sure that you create a detailed outline of what you need to do. This way, you’ll have a step-by-step plan for what you need to do.
Ask for feedback frequently
Another thing that you can do to get comfortable with taking action is by asking for feedback frequently. While you shouldn’t base your entire career path on feedback, receiving constructive criticism is essential to getting ahead in your career. You can use feedback to help identify your strengths and weaknesses and use that to help you get comfortable with the action. There are a ton of ways to receive feedback. One of the best ways to get feedback is by using online networks and online forums. When you use these types of spaces, you can make sure that the feedback you are receiving is constructive and helpful. When you receive feedback, make sure that you take the time to read it and make sure that you are implementing the things that you need to do. This will help you to stay focused on the things that are important to get comfortable with taking action.
Wrapping Up
The ability to get comfortable with taking action is something that comes with time and practice. The best thing that you can do to get comfortable with taking action is to start small and make small changes in your daily routine. By doing this, you can start building momentum and momentum will be the push you need to get comfortable with taking action and achieve your career goals.
