Doing just a little bit during the time we have available puts you that much further ahead than if you took no action at all.     — Byron Pulsifer

Action Item:
Consider your goals and dreams, or something you have most recently wanted to accomplish, and take action now. Cut out a picture that inspires you, buy a book on the topic or tell a friend who will hold you accountable… But most importantly use your enthusiasm today to get you to tomorrow.

Use the Weekly Intention Guide (PDF) of the week is the perfect tool to do just that…build enthusiasm to focus in on what you can accomplish this week!

I am confident you’ve figured out that I’m a sucker for inspirational stories, quotes and moments. I love to be wowed by words, pictures and courageous people, as they always set my mind into a tailspin of can-do thoughts and ideas. From inspirational leaders like Abraham Lincoln who overcame extreme and adverse life situations yet persevered and never lost faith in his dream and hearts calling, to a regular person such as Jesse. Jesse is a janitor at the University of Texas, who despite his house burning down and living a not-so-easy life, he is never without a smile and or a positive and grateful attitude.

I have decided that I am attracted to these kind of people and stories because despite circumstance, they are enthusiastic! They go about their daily tasks with continuous vigor and despite abundant hard knocks, they never give up and live life enthusiastically.

Inspiration feeds my mind and spirit, and without it I am easily distracted. Therefore I have filled my office with inspirational pictures, quotes and books, and filled my life with inspirational and uplifting people. I subscribe to multiple inspirational emails and receive daily newsletters, Bible verses and quotes. I unfortunately do not get a chance to read them every day, but when I do I am re-energized to live life enthusiastically and motivated…and then to take action on one or more of my goals or dreams. A recent newsletter by Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker, did just that!

Engaging in genuine discipline requires that you develop the ability to take action. You don’t need to be hasty if it isn’t required, but you don’t want to lose much time either. Here’s the time to act: when the idea is hot and the emotion is strong.

Let’s say you would like to build your library. If that is a strong desire for you, what you’ve got to do is get the first book. Then get the second book. Take action as soon as possible, before the feeling passes and before the idea dims. If you don’t, here’s what happens…You fall prey to the law of diminishing intent.

We intend to take action when the idea strikes us. We intend to do something when the emotion is high. But if we don’t translate that intention into action fairly soon, the urgency starts to diminish. A month from now the passion is cold. A year from now it can’t be found.

So take action. Set up a discipline when the emotions are high and the idea is strong, clear, and powerful. If somebody talks about good health and you’re motivated by it, you need to get a book on nutrition. Get the book before the idea passes, before the emotion gets cold. Begin the process. Fall on the floor and do some push-ups. You’ve got to take action; otherwise the wisdom is wasted. The emotion soon passes unless you apply it to a disciplined activity. Discipline enables you to capture the emotion and the wisdom and translate them into action. The key is to increase your motivation by quickly setting up the discipline. By doing so, you’ve started a whole new life process.

Working out in classes can help keep members like Jenni T. stay motivated to act…NOW!

Here is the greatest value of discipline: self-worth, also known as self-esteem. Many people who are teaching self-esteem these days don’t connect it to discipline. But once we sense the least lack of discipline within ourselves, it starts to erode our psyche. One of the greatest temptations is to just ease up a little bit. Instead of doing your best, you allow yourself to do just a little less than your best. Sure enough, you’ve started in the slightest way to decrease your sense of self-worth.

There is a problem with even a little bit of neglect. Neglect starts as an infection. If you don’t take care of it, it becomes a disease. And one neglect leads to another. Worst of all, when neglect starts, it diminishes our self-worth.

Once this has happened, how can you regain your self-respect? All you have to do is act now! Start with the smallest discipline that corresponds to your own philosophy. Make the commitment: “I will discipline myself to achieve my goals so that in the years ahead I can celebrate my successes.

Last week during class we passed out new note cards for you to begin writing your short term goals and dreams (August 22-Dec 17). One of the reasons I believe having goals and dreams is important is because of the enthusiasm that is generated from taking action. As we enter week two of our 17-week Journey, I encourage you to take action now. From adding to your goal/dream card in class, to cutting out inspirational pictures, do it now and enjoy a week of enthusiastic living! And while accomplishing our goals and dreams can sometimes feel difficult, there are so many wonderful inspiration tools like this video of the week, “Never Give Up!” to keep us on track when we inevitably fall off!

JOIN THE DISCUSSION- What successes do you want to look back on? 

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