If you’re an overwhelmed overthinker, it can be especially tough to take any action on your goals. Let’s be real — achieving goals is NOT just a matter of setting powerful goals and making really great plans! That’s why today, we’re going to look at how action starters for goals can give you the best chance of actually seeing results!
In this article, we will explore the 5 action starters for goals that I believe are absolutely vital to being successful… and why doing these things will be your secret weapon.
So if you’re ready to take action toward reaching your dreams and goals, let’s get started!
As an overthinker, I understand how hard it can be to take the first steps toward achieving your goals. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the what-ifs and doubts that creep into our minds.
And even though that’s actually quite normal, it means many of us need extra tips on moving beyond the paralyzing inaction that can be the result of overthinking every.single.thing. That’s why I made this list of action starters that will set you up for success in either personal goals or professional goals!
But, what exactly are action starters and how can they help you?
What Are Action Starters For Goals?
My personal definition of action starters for goals is that they are the first things you actually DO to launch yourself into taking consistent action.
The thing is, these action starters are the same for ANY goal you set. So once you get good at these five things, you’ll be able to turn your goals into action every.single.time.
They work by shifting your state of inertia from being paralyzed and inactive over the overwhelming big picture to building momentum by DOING something. The quick bursts of action-oriented inspiration replace time spent overthinking.
How Action Starters Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
You’re probably already an expert at making lists of amazing goals. You might even be good at breaking them down into timelines of when you would like to see them accomplished.
But then you get stuck, rethinking and overanalyzing everything instead of taking action.
Introducing action starters into your goal planning and daily routine planning can make a world of difference, eliminating the thought loopholes that usually allow overthinkers to avoid *actually* doing anything.
These action starters provide a starting point for decisions and actions that will push you toward achieving your goals.
These are what I believe to be the top 5 action starters you should implement to have the best chance of achieving your goals — and in turn, your dream life.
1. Actively Cultivate A Victory Mindset
Take control of your thoughts and actively cultivate a victory mindset. This is actually going to be more difficult than it sounds, and will absolutely require work on your part!
Remember, your mindset can make or break your success. It’s not about being optimistic all the time, but about training your mind to see the good in every situation.
Challenge yourself to see opportunities in every obstacle. Believe in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges.
That doesn’t mean things won’t go wrong. It just means you have to believe in your abilities so that you can take action to keep going.
Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, focus on what could go right. This can be *really* hard if you’re used to living in a victim mentality where ‘nothing ever works out for me.’ But I can tell you from experience, things tend to work out well in ways you don’t even expect when you actively shift your focus.
When you approach life and any of your overarching goals with a victory mindset, you will attract positivity and success. You also become a resourceful person who looks for solutions instead of excuses.
So, start today by shifting your perspective and actively cultivating a mindset of victory.
2. Surround Yourself With Positive, Inspiring People Who DO Things
Negative self-talk and toxic people can bring you down, so surround yourself with supportive people and affirmations.
When you’re around people who lift you up, you’ll feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.
You’ll start to see the world in a different way and approach challenges with that ‘victory mindset’ and a can-do attitude. It’s like being in a room filled with sunlight. The warmth and brightness will fill you up and energize you.
And just like the sun, positivity is contagious. When you radiate optimism, you’ll attract others who do the same.
Create a network of people who support you and push you to be your best self. When you see them taking action every day, it becomes easier for you to act in a similar manner.
So don’t settle for negative energy. Choose to surround yourself with positivity and action-takers, then watch your life blossom.
3. Use Action Words In Your Planning And Goal Statements
It’s not enough to simply dream about your goals and write lists of things you would LIKE to happen — although that’s exactly where you need to begin, as I show in my post about how to begin goal setting with a dreams and goals worksheet. You have to take purposeful action to make them a reality.
When it comes to achieving goals, the words you use can make a big difference. It’s easy to get stuck in a thought pattern of ‘I should…’ or ‘I need to…’ — but framing your intentions as action thoughts instead can be more motivating and inspiring.
Start by using action words in your goal statements, along with your beginner action plan and specific tasks. But don’t just write a bunch of things. Make sure your actions are specific and measurable.
For example, instead of saying, ‘I should exercise every day,’ try changing it to, ‘I will build my healthy habits by going for a 20-minute walk every day this week.’ This shift in language helps give clarity and allows you to focus on one specific action.
Keep things simple and VERY actionable. This way, you’re more likely to stay motivated and focused on what you want to achieve.
By changing the way we talk about our goals and using action-oriented language, we can start making positive changes toward our desired outcomes right away!
Ready to start working on goals that matter TO YOU? Grab The Goal Journey Annual Goal Planner — This printable goal planner is designed to streamline your goal-setting process, allowing you to focus on one goal at a time and adapt as life evolves. Get the extra stuff out of your head, let go of the regrets and ‘should-dos,’ and start accomplishing the goals that really matter to YOU.
4. Create Habits And Routines To Work Without Motivation
This one feels especially difficult if you’re in any kind of ‘creative’ field — or if you’re not seeing much progress on your goals during the time period YOU think it should happen.
Here’s the thing… Motivation is overrated. We’re not always going to feel energized or inspired – and that’s okay. I really hate saying that — I didn’t want to believe it the first time I heard it — but after years of working for myself, I have found it to be true.
What really matters is building a system that supports us even when we don’t feel like working.
Of course, part of that is the positivity and the examples set by the action-takers we admire. But even more importantly, we absolutely MUST build habits and routines that we do without even thinking about them.
By creating a schedule and sticking to it, we make it easier to get things done. Consistency is key.
It’s better to do a little bit every day than to wait for inspiration or motivation. I mean, it’s obviously MUCH easier to write blog posts or fiction storylines when I’m inspired, but I still need to make it a habit to do the work even if I’m not feeling it.
There are certain times of the day that are my ‘work’ times, and I have a list of things that I do during those times. If you’re working on a goal for yourself (personal or professional, it doesn’t matter), try to implement some sort of daily planning routine to make sure you do.the.things.
Every one of these habits and tasks should ONLY be focused on what’s necessary to keep us moving forward. We want to keep our routines simple, with NON-overwhelming actions. Over time, those small actions add up and we make real progress.
Add a little at a time to your routine, and build those habits in a way that works for you. I think you’ll be surprised at what you can actually accomplish even when you’re NOT feeling motivated.
5. Embrace Failure
Sometimes, we get so afraid of failure that we don’t even try. But in reality, failure is just a part of the learning process. It can be uncomfortable, even scary at times. But it’s also a chance to learn and grow.
Each time we fail, we get a chance to learn something new and improve our skills. It’s like falling off a bike – you might scrape your knee, but you learn how to balance better next time.
When we embrace failure, we can take risks and try new things without being held back by fear.
More thinking and more planning and more preparation is NOT what you need here. Of course we want to be intentional with our actions, but what you need *the most* is to try things… and learn quickly from your mistakes. Practice ‘failing faster and failing forward.’
I know it seems counterintuitive to overthinkers, but it’s absolutely true. Scary, but necessary and surprisingly confidence-building.
And when we do fail, we can use it as a stepping stone to success. It’s not the end, just a detour on the way to our goals. Notice I said ‘when we fail.’ Just accept that it’s going to happen… and that you’re going to be okay anyway!
We may feel some embarrassment, we may drop some cash on a tool that doesn’t work out, we may have to learn — and re-learn — a lot of new things. But I promise you will never achieve that goal or your dream life without going through any of that. And afterward, you will appreciate all of the good stuff SO MUCH.
So don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Embrace it, and let it be a catalyst for growth and progress.
More Goal-Getting Inspiration
Take Ownership of Your Goals: Goal Journaling for Overthinkers
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – by James Clear
10 Productive Things To Do Every Month That Will Organize Your Entire Life
Living An Intentional Life: 7 Powerful Steps to Make It Happen
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business – by Charles Duhigg
7 Strategies To Be Intentional With Your Time As An Overwhelmed Overthinker
Concluding Thoughts…
If you’re reading this, then I’m sure you know that setting and achieving goals is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth. However, overthinking and procrastination can often hinder our progress.
The five action starters discussed in this article can provide a way for you to take that first step and turn your dreams into reality.
By cultivating a victory mindset, surrounding yourself with positive influences, using action words in your planning, creating habits and routines, and embracing failure, you can overcome fears and doubts and take the first steps toward achieving your goals.
Remember that the journey toward success is never linear, and setbacks are an inevitable part of the process. With perseverance and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, you can stay motivated and stay on track to reach your short-term goals AND your long-term goals as you Build Your Best Life.
You’ve got this!
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