Joey "*#%*head" Keithley, frontman for the hardcore Punk Band D.O.A., famously said: TALK - ACTION = ZERO. D.O.A. was known for their outspoken political opinions and that slogan was a great way to inspire others to anarchy. Although Keithley often took his battle cry to extremes, he wanted that the slogan to speak loudly to a society that does a lot of "talking", but not much "doing".
Even if we don't espouse the anarchistic and radical sensibility of the hardcore punk movement, that slogan still has great application to our own lives. If we want to make a change, we have to TAKE ACTION. Without action, all of our talk means ZERO.
The many books on the Law of Attraction, such as the best seller THE SECRET, touch on, but downplay the fact that to obtain what you want, after visualizing and believing in your desired outcome, you must also take ACTION. As fabulous as visualization is, it only goes so far.You need to take inspired action, put energy in motion and then the Universe will answer.
5 Steps to Taking Inspired Action
1/Get clear: Get crystal clear about what you want the most from your long list of imagined possibilities. What will make the most difference in your life this year? This month?
What feels most important? Check in with your heart and gut. From your long list of imagined possibilities, chose your Top Three. Without extreme clarity, you will waste a lot of your time and energy.
2/Break it down: Create clearly defined S.M.A.R.T. Goals for each of your top three imagined possibilities. S.M.A.R.T. : Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. In setting goals, I like the 4 circles method outlined in Steve Chandler's book, 100 ways to Motivate Yourself. Draw 4 circles on a piece of paper. Under circle one put todays date, under circle two put the month, circle three would be the year and circle 4 is your lifetime. Write one action in each circle that relates to your Top 3 possibilities. One thing you can do today, one thing in the month of May, one thing that is a goal for this year, and one for this lifetime. Keep adding circles for each day and month as you move forward this year.
3/Take one step at a time: Understand the power of incremental improvement. Every change and every step (no matter how tiny) moves you from a place you weren't before. Make sure your S.M.A.R.T. goals are broken down into actionable increments. Remember to be realistic. Each small step is a victory. Motivational coach Denis Waitley describes it well when he says "Your short-term actions multiplied by time equals your long-term accomplishments."
4/ Commit and Recommit: Make a commitment to your actions. Know that your actions will move you toward reaching your specific goals, and achieving your goals will allow you to live in the place of your imagined possibilities. See how this all connects? When you fall off the horse, just get back on and recommit to your dreams. If you change your mind, or if other dreams begin to seem more important, simply revise your plan and begin again at Step 2.
5/ Accept the Applause: It is critical to reward yourself for each step you take, no matter how small. Create the rewards that will motivate you and make you feel good. These are your dreams, and you are the one doing the work to live those dreams. Congratulations...for every step you take!
DO YOU WANT AN EASY WAY TO GET STARTED?
Click here to download a free chapter "DO-ABLE GOAL SETTING" from my book, Harmony from the Inside Out and work through the exercises in the chapter to immediately move you into action.
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing" - Walt Disney
Last month we got back in touch with our very possible dreams ... and allowed our heads to "think outside the dot" and visit the land of "our imagined possibilities." If you missed last months e-zine, 
