Actions Archives | Reinvention Playbook

Take Contrary Action

Sheri Here –

What? Are you kidding me? Last blog I talked about taking the next indicated step – see Take the Next Indicated Action – now I’m saying take contrary action.

You want me to make up my mind and get my story straight?

Ah, but the two work hand in hand. How do I explain that exactly?

Contrary Action

Well sometimes, my brain says NO when I need to say YES, or STOP when I need to say GO. All too often, I’ll find myself in paralysis because I don’t want to do what I know I really, really, really need to do.

For instance, I’ve been doing my best to eat more healthy, maybe you can relate. But the cookies are calling my name. When I start to get a desire to have something, I can reach for a piece of fruit instead of the cookies.

Not having cookies in the house would be best, but I’m not the only one who lives here. I know I can take the contrary action to not pick up the cookies.

I’m also looking to do some public speaking gigs to promote my book and my business; but my mind says STOP, I’m afraid to do public speaking and my heart says YES, I love it. It’s not easy, I’ve got to take the contrary action route which also includes doing the next indicated step, like writing and practicing my speech!

Why Does Contrary Action Matter?

What difference does it make? When I’m trying to reach a goal, many things can get in my way – mostly what’s between my two ears. I can be stopped by procrastination – that was last week’s trick – or self sabotage. That’s when taking the contrary action is important, that IS the next indicated step!

I bet I’m not the only one who is out there with these crazy thoughts in my head. Sometimes having others acknowledge they too have the same thinking gives you the courage to go take the next indicated action even though your fear says NO. Your stepping out and doing it any way is what’s important.

Leave a comment and tell me your most recent instance of not letting the fear or procrastination or self-sabotage stop you. If you’d prefer to chat, go ahead and book a call here and let’s talk.

‘til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. Taking contrary action takes courage. Feel free to place a call and find an accountability buddy. Book a call here.

Take the Next Indicated Action

Actions

Sheri Here –

Hope you had a productive week of great fulfilled intentions! And you spent a lot of time taking the next indicated action.

Making those good intentions real takes action. In my last blog, I talked about that a bit, If you missed it you can find it at “Intentions – Friend or Foe”.

Sometimes I set big goals or take on a big project that has lots of steps and the sheer volume of required action stops me. The size becomes daunting, and I’m paralyzed. What I’ve discovered is that if I just start then getting involved in the project becomes painless.

Make the Action Easy – Set a Timer

Sometimes, I set a timer for 15 minutes and tell myself, I only need to work on this for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, I can go do something else. But you know what happens? After 15 minutes I’m into action and it is easier to keep going. Then taking the next indicated step is even easier.

When I start a project, whether it is for my business or personal activities, I don’t always know what’s required. If I sit down and prepare an outline or think of all the things that will need to happen to be successful, I can start to get an idea about what’s next.

I’ve managed projects for years professionally and there is a certain rhythm to them – they start as an outline or a to do list and then the order becomes apparent. So does the resources – who needs to be involved and the time of when things need to happen. When I have the clarity of the actions that are required to get my project done working on the next indicated action becomes easier.

This pattern works whether it is for work or for play. It could work on a business project or on a vacation. I’ve used it to plan Christmas parties and multimillion dollar application projects. But sometimes, I just don’t want to get started. I almost have to fool myself to get going – that’s where the 15-minute timer is helpful.

The Pomodoro Method Also Helps Action

There is another technique called the Pomodoro method – which works in a similar way. You set the timer for 25-minutes and work on one task. When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break. Do it again, 3 or 4 times in a row. After that, take a 20- or 30-minute break. You will be amazed at how much you have gotten done.

You may ask, whose got 25 uninterrupted minutes, let alone 2 hours to get anything done. It’s possible, try it. First, you might want to give those around you 25-minutes of your uninterrupted quality time in exchange for leaving you to work on your project uninterrupted. Then be amazed at how much you get done.

I’m using that technique today as I’m preparing my book. I just got comments back from my editor and I find that using the Pomodoro technique helps keep me focused on resolving the comments!

Have Big Goals? Your Action Is…

If you have some big goals you want to accomplish and you are struggling to get them done, let’s talk. I can help you to put a plan together and hold you accountable for the actions, the next intended actions you plan to take. Call me here and we’ll do this together!