by Dr. Philip E. Humbert

Almost every week I receive e-mail from people who say they are stuck or confused or lost and need "help" to achieve their goals in life. As much as I can, I respond personally to those e-mails, sometimes even following up with a phone call, and this week's TIPS comes from some of those conversations.

Now, there are lots of reasons people get frustrated or struggle in life, but one of the most common is that some people refuse to get started! Some people have big dreams but refuse to take the first steps to make them come true.

No wonder they are frustrated and say they have "failed" to reach their goals!

The truth is that there is almost no real failure in life.

One of Newton's laws says that for every action there is an effect. Tony Robbins is famous for his observation that high achievers take massive action, observe their results, adjust accordingly, and take more action. There is tremendous power in persistent, determined action!

There is a famous phrase in the Bible that the "truth shall set you free" and a key truth is that to achieve any goal, no matter what it is, some action -- some effort, some work, some activity, some physical exertion is required and the activity must come FIRST! To achieve your goals, action is required!

And here is a second truth: Often the required action is simple, easy and obvious. These are the cases that frustrate me.

Over my years as a success coach, I've had thousands of conversations with people who want to reach the ordinary sort of goals that lots of other people have achieved. They want to save for retirement, start a business, travel the world, or do something else that (to them) seems difficult, but in fact has been achieved by lots of other people. The problem is that they "can't find a way" to take the first steps toward success.

They hesitate to get started. They "can't" find a way to save money, or to develop the first draft of a business plan. Now, I emphasize that I am not making fun of these people! For them the pain and frustration are very real, and I understand that. But to achieve success, they must also understand that the fear is in their own minds.

Often, the first steps are simple, easy and relatively obvious. The key is to get started, take action, observe your results, adjust accordingly, and take more action.

And here is a third truth: Most of the actions people take when they set out to achieve a goal are WRONG! Of course they are! We learn by trial and error. When we try anything for the first time, we are bound to make mistakes, but mistakes are not failures! They are simply the best, smartest action we could figure out at the time, but unfortunately they may not give us the results we desired, so we learn and try again.

Did you fall down when you first tried to walk? Probably.

Were your first attempts at dating clumsy or embarrasing? Probably.

Were your first attempts to use a computer frustrating? Probably! There is no failure or shame in that. We try, we learn, and we try again.

This is a truth about life! The key to getting anything you want in life is to take action. Take the smartest, best action you can think of and see what happens. If you can, hire a mentor or coach to help you. You might buy (and read!) a how-to-do-it guide, but take some action! Observe your results, adjust accordingly, and keep on keeping on.

Copyright (c) 2005, all rights reserved. Dr. Philip E. Humbert, professional coach, author and popular speaker. He has an excellent weekly newsletter and I encourage you to subscribe at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

This week, look at the projects or areas in your life or in business where you are feeling stalled.

1. Is this truly something you want to move forward?

2. If yes, what is the smartest, best action you can think of to take next?

3. Take the action!

4. Observe your results.

5. Make any necessary adjustments.

6. Take the next action.

7. Repeat 4-6 and keep on going!

May 30, 2005
Memorial Day is this Weekend

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country. Honor them this day by taking time out for a thought, a prayer, a ritual. Keep the real meaning in this day while you celebrate with family and friends.

Coach Andrea's Coaching Tip of the Week is brought to you by Andrea Novakowski, Master Certified Coach who provides Business and Personal Coaching to Corporations, Businesses, and Individuals. Andrea is a professional coach who partners with people to set goals and create momentum to produce effective results in their business and/or personal lives.

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