Taking inspired action
Taking action.
In coaching, I often talk about taking some kind of action as opposed to just thinking or waiting for something to happen. You have to have a vision for something but unless you act, nothing moves.
We either take action or we don’t, but we’re usually wrapped up in expectation and wanting some kind of movement - trying to "get to" something. If we don’t take any kind of action, we’re not moving at all. And just talking about taking action, confuses many and leads to....nowhere.
What does that mean?
That’s sounds like a silly question. If you want to get fit, you work out. If you need food in your fridge, you go to the store.
Of course, taking action means doing something. That’s easy enough to figure out when we have to do something simple.
But when it comes to changing our life course, ourselves, or wanting something out of reach, we don’t know what to do. We don't know how to do it, where or when to do it, so we just don’t do anything.
Inaction can feel very heavy and frustrating. But taking action can sometimes feel that way too.
If we’re not motivated to take action, we sit, paralyzed in indecision. If we take action and it's uninspired, whatever we end up doing feels like drudgery.
So what about learning to take inspired action? Action that happens when we feel the need to move, hear a voice inside of us prompting us to move or have a passionate moment that leads us to creating or acting in a way that is deliberate and on course?
I know you’ve had moments like this. Where you just knew that you knew that you should take a next step…like reaching out, setting an appointment, signing up for a program, calling someone or taking action on some idea that finally felt clear. When this happens, it’s easy and oh, so freeing.
But sadly, most of us live from a space of believing that miracles and clarity only come once in a blue moon, if at all. Many of us live our lives in a state of chaos, disharmony and confusion. We have no clue that we are the key to our own clarity, direction and happiness.
The truth is, if we align with and "become" our true nature, we can learn to use our superpowers to create a life that’s deliberate, focused and on track.
Granted, getting there isn’t the key. The journey IS the destination.
However, learning to take inspired action creates the momentum each one of us needs to get and keep our ship on course. We can navigate through resistance and challenges and make decisions that are in our highest and best good. All inspired action aligns our hearts with our purpose.
Learning to trust and listen to our inner guidance is just one step in becoming who you are; a whole and complete energy being disguised as a limited, physical being on a wild journey. Unless you know it, you can’t become the fullness of it.
So, here are some guideposts to help you know what inspired action is. If you’re in a situation or contemplating your next step, this is a good guideline.
When NOT to take action:
If it feels heavy don’t do it.
If it feels out of integrity with who you are, don’t do it.
If you feel any negative emotion or have any inner dialogue around it, don’t do it.
If you feel confused, don’t do it.
If you’re trying to get back at someone, don’t do it.
If you’re trying to move something forward that isn’t moving, don’t do it.
If it makes you feel constricted in any way, don’t do it.
WHEN to take action:
If it feels light, do it.
If it feels in alignment with who you are, do it.
If it makes you feel joyful, alive, passionate, do it.
If you have clarity before making the decision, do it.
If you feel a strong inner urge or prompt but have no idea what the outcome will be or why you’re suppose to do it, do it anyway.
If you’re in the middle of doing something else and feel absolutely inspired to do it differently, do it.
If it opens up your creative channels so you can express, do it.
Just a word of caution:
You might have noticed that I didn’t include anything about feeling out of your comfort zone. And this is why…
There are times when inspired action is calling you to higher ground. Sometimes inspired action takes you out of your comfort zone. For example, like when I signed up with my first business coach. It required a lot of money and a solid, year-long commitment. I was hit with massive fear and anxiety. Abnormal amounts of it, like I would die if I made the commitment.
My ego knew I was completely out of my comfort zone and wanted to keep me safe. That strategy worked brilliantly when I was a child. However, that old ego strategy kept me child-like for a very long time.
The key was the answer to my question. Is this my next best step? The immediate and clear response was a resounding YES. Only then did I move forward.
So, when taking inspired action, especially in the midst of something new or massive fear, always take a moment to breathe and ask, “Is this in my highest and best good?”
The first answer you get (and the one that doesn’t involve THINKING or any kind of inner conversation) is what you want to go with.
Hearing your inner voice and taking quick, inspired action will lead you exactly where you want to go. And more importantly, exactly where you’re supposed to go.
It's a miraculous adventure, one you really want to embrace and enjoy. So, have fun!
