How Using Action Words For Goals Will Help You Succeed {Even If You’re An Overthinker}

If you’re an overthinker, achieving goals can feel nearly impossible. You spend so much energy and get so overwhelmed while choosing goals and trying to plan the steps to achieve them. Here’s a little tip: One simple way to improve the process of actually achieving results is to use action words for goals.

If you’ve already started putting action starters for goals in place, then the natural next step is to add action words to your mindset and goal-writing process. Let’s see how that looks and why you’ll want to try it… 

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Before getting into all of this, I want to remind you that what’s in this article is WHAT WORKS FOR ME as an overwhelmed overthinker who still manages to get some stuff done most days. Try what you want, use what works for you, and leave the rest… that’s how we each build an individualized system of successful goal-getting.

Action Words Meaning

Action words are like power verbs that add specificity to describe an action you want to take or a goal you want to achieve. They help you create specific, measurable goal steps and improve the mindset you need in order to succeed. 

For example, instead of setting a goal to ‘exercise every week,’ you could say ‘I will walk 2 miles every day.’ This goal is specific, measurable, and requires one clear action to achieve it.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using action words for setting powerful goals and provide more examples of action words and how to use them effectively. 

Whether you’re trying to improve your health, advance in your career, or achieve personal growth for living an intentional life, using action words can help you clarify your goals and be intentional with your action steps toward achieving them.

Why Action Words Are Important For Overthinkers

Overthinking is a common problem that many people face when trying to set and achieve goals. It’s so difficult to make progress when you’re constantly analyzing and second-guessing every decision you make! One way to combat this tendency is to use action words when setting your goals.

By using action words, you are creating a clear and specific plan of action for yourself with very simple steps. These specific actions give you a concrete plan to follow, which can help to reduce overthinking and increase your chances of success.

Another benefit of using action words is that they help shift your mindset from passive to active. When you use action words and phrases like ‘I commit’ or ‘I will,’ you’re signaling to yourself that you’ve already decided what to do and you’re going to take action. This can be especially helpful for overthinkers, who may struggle with procrastination or indecision.

Framing your goals in a positive and proactive way also helps to build confidence and motivation, which are key factors in achieving success.

Examples of Motivational Action Words for Goals

Using the right action words — ‘right’ as in what works to motivate YOU — can help you stay on track and focused. Here are some examples of motivational action words that can help in your goal-getting efforts:

• Start: This action word is perfect for those who struggle with taking the first step toward their goals. By using ‘start’ as your action word, you’ll be reminded to do SOMETHING to get the ball rolling. And once you start, it’s easier to keep going!
• Commit: When you commit to something, you’re making a deep promise to follow through. Using ‘commit’ as your action word can help you stay accountable and motivated.
• Focus: Sometimes, we get distracted and lose sight of our goals. Using ‘focus’ as your action word can help remind you to avoid distractions.
• Push: Achieving your goals often requires pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Use ‘push’ as your action word to help you stay motivated when things get tough.
• Complete: Use ‘complete’ as your action word to remind yourself that the work doesn’t stop until a task is finished and checked off your list. This is an important part of developing your finishing instinct.
• Decide: Making decisions and sticking to them can be hard. Use ‘decide’ as your action word when you need to set aside time to make choices confidently.
• Prepare: Preparing for something takes a lot of effort and attention to detail. Use ‘prepare’ as your action word when you need to remind yourself to make sure you’ve adequately planned for upcoming tasks.
• Dedicate: Dedicating yourself to a task or goal can be difficult, but it’s necessary to ensure success. Use ‘dedicate’ as your action word when you need some extra motivation and focus to stick with something.

Remember, these are just a few examples of motivational action words. The key is to find strong action verbs that work for you and use them consistently. With the right action words, you can simplify your thoughts and take action toward achieving your goals.

How to Use Action Words Effectively

Choose Action Words That Resonate with You

When selecting action words to use for your goals, it’s important to choose words that resonate with you. These words should inspire you and make you feel motivated to take action. Consider the following:

• Choose words that align with your values and beliefs.
• Choose words that reflect your personality and communication style.
• Choose words that are specific and measurable.

This is similar to the process of choosing your word for the year, but you get to use MORE words that are absolutely perfect for each step you want to take. Even better, use your word of the year as a personal filter to fine-tune your goal and action planning.

Write Your Goals with Action Words

In the world of achieving your goals, dreaming and list-making is just the beginning.

When you write down your goals, be sure to use action-oriented language like ‘I will…’ Ditch the vague statements and lists and focus on specific, measurable goals.

By using action words in your goal statements, you’ll be in the best mindset to stay motivated to work on them every.single.day. And let’s not forget about the power of simplicity. Keep things VERY actionable and you’ll be well on your way to achieving those desired outcomes.

Take Action Steps

Finally, it’s time to take action. Use your action words to create an action plan. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. You may want to do this as part of your Sunday planning for the week OR daily routine planning. 

Use your action words to describe each step and the actions you need to take to achieve your goals. Here are some sentence starter ideas for ways you can write these steps:

1. Today, I can make progress by…
2. To achieve my goal, I commit to…
3. I am ready to start by…
4. To get closer to my goal, I will…
5. Today, I can prioritize by…
6. I can stay motivated by…
7. Today, I am going to complete…
8. I will take charge by…
9. Today, I will focus on…
10. I can overcome obstacles by…
11. I can make a difference by…
12. To achieve my goal, I will set a deadline for…
13. I will stay accountable by…
14. Today, I will be proactive and…
15. To make progress, I will establish a routine of…

To make even more progress as an overwhelmed overthinker, these may help:

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.

The One Focus Method — This book contains expanded versions of my most inspirational posts on goal setting and achieving. It also helps you work on building the motivation to follow through on completing projects in short periods of time.

Concluding Thoughts…

I hope this article has shown you that taking action — no matter how imperfect — is the best way to achieve your goals in spite of overthinking tendencies. Use your action words to stay motivated and focused on your goals. 

Most importantly, celebrate your successes along the way and enjoy your progress while setting new goals for the future.

Remember to use specific and relevant action words for goals, and you’ll be well on your way to Build Your Best Life.

You’ve got this!

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