Planning starts with thinking.
Research in Personality and Social Psychology Review suggests that we have two motivational systems: the “thinking” system and the “doing” system — and we’re generally only capable of using one at a time.
While thinking is certainly important to everything we do, if we focus more on the thinking system we could find ourselves caught up in a life of inaction. Thinking alone gets us nowhere.
We must take action.
It’s what we do that defines who we are. Our accomplishments are defined by what we DO, not what we THINK ABOUT DOING.
“Well done is better than well said.” ―Benjamin Franklin
“An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.” ―Arnold Glasow
“The path to success is to take massive, determined actions.” ―Tony Robbins
Be a Doer.
Do what you think about doing.
Do what you say you are going to do.
Stop talking about what needs to be done.
So what is required to be a doer?
Being a doer — instead of just a thinker — requires commitment and discipline.
Jumping in and taking action is not the easy way for everyone. It takes perseverance, practice, and mental discipline. And in all honesty, it’s how progress even happens.
It can feel uncomfortable, even scary at times. But if we are not willing to face the fear, and even fail at doing something, then what happens is we stay locked in a state of thinking. And over-thinking. And we make excuses.
We have to take a risk, leave our comfort zones, and be willing to try, even if it means not looking or sounding how we want to. Even if it means we fail the first time around.
Believe it or not, thinking about doing is more exhausting than actually doing. All of your written plans and ideas without taking action or implementation can make you anxious and stressed. They serve as a constant reminder that you have something to start, but haven’t. Getting started is the hardest part.
Continuous improvement towards any goal and being willing to fail forward will always be better than a list of ideas just sitting there waiting to be acted upon.
The reality is, most things on the typical “to-do list” won’t be done. I suggest either removing them from your list or maintaining the healthy habit of doing something about them every day. Being overwhelmed with many things to do and no sense of priority (no deadlines) usually means nothing will get done.
In reality, you know WHAT you need to do and, for the most part, how to do it. I’m not saying there isn’t a time and place for thinking and planning, there is! I am saying that too many Agents spend a disproportionate amount of time thinking about plans. In fact, an unhealthy amount of time.
It’s time to shift from Thinking to More Doing.
Not only is doing easier than thinking about doing, but it increases productivity and your sense of accomplishment.
Need help creating an amazing plan to move your Agency forward in 2023? IAO Summit, the premier Agency Planning Summit, October 28, 2022 in Boston is the place to be for insurance Agents. This intimate conference will prepare you and your team for awesomeness in 2023. See what’s in store here.
