Take Action

You could say in the age of Google that, we don’t have a knowledge problem regarding health and fitness. We have an action problem. Because let’s face it, you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Don’t know what an exercise is? YouTube it

Need help getting started in the gym? Google gym basics and read away.

Still, trying to decide what diet to follow? Google best diets, and it’s off to the races.

Knowledge, it’s there, and you don’t need to commit it to memory or print the internet.

Some people gather too much knowledge and are paralyzed with indecision because of all the conflicting information on the internet. Count me in as one of those people, but I’m easily confused.

BUT

There comes the point where you have enough knowledge to do the thing, but then action should take over. How do you take action when you feel unsure? Let’s dive in and explore this. Be warned; you’re taking advice from the procrastination gold medalist.

Ready. Set. Action

Or point, shoot, and fire, or ready, set, and go. It’s easy when someone is yelling that you to get started, but how do you swing into action when you feel unsure? How do you get it together and be healthier and fitter?

That’s the million-dollar question many will answer differently, but first, a story.

When starting my health and fitness journey and becoming a certified personal trainer, I’d read fitness magazines to learn and look like the guys on the cover. Like Dr. Phil used to say, ‘How’s that working out for you?” Not good, Dr. Phil, not good. But reading these magazines made me think how cool it would be to be published in one.

With people reading my words and seeing me as an authority figure and not questioning my every word like my wife and kids do. But I failed English in high school, hated reading, and wasn’t good at writing.

How in the heck would I get published anywhere, let alone in a fitness magazine?    

I took my knowledge and passion for health and fitness and started writing poorly for my church newsletter, with my wife editing and ripping her hair out over my every word. Taking imperfect action over ten years led to writing for

A pay-per-view website

Guest posts on other coach’s websites

My blog

Contributing quotes through HARO

And finally, I sent a Twitter message to an editor at Barbend close to 4 years ago and now have written for Barbend, Breaking Muscle, Garage Gym Reviews, Healthy Beat, and Muscle And Fitness. Then last year, this happened.

Boom, I realized my goal. But what does this mean for you?

Here’s The Secret To Taking Action

There comes the point that gathering more knowledge became pointless, and if I wanted to get better at a thing, I needed to do something, no matter how bad it was at the start.  

How does this help you?

Here’s the thing. When people want to change their bodies or to get healthier and fitter, they want to hit the ground running. They want significant change, and they want to be sure it’s going to work.

Some research it, get overloaded with info, get confused, and never start.

Others throw themselves into it, go a million miles an hour, and then flame out. New Year’s resolutions, anybody?

And some muddle through with blind luck and faith, learning as they go and taking steps to become healthier and fitter versions of themselves.   

Let’s face it; there’s not much certainty except for death and taxes, so let’s rule that out, and there is nothing wrong with wanting significant change. Having an idea where you want to go is great, but don’t let the significant change lead to procrastination and gathering more knowledge.

Finally, do you know what the trick is?

Start small and learn as you go. Keep the bigger picture in mind, but always keep sight of your feet in front of you. Keep moving, keep moving forward even when you get knocked down. Good things will happen if you start small, keep learning, and don’t quit.

Wrapping Up

Don’t get caught up in thinking about significant change, and thinking big steps are always needed when taking action. Taking small steps, taking your shots on the chin, and treating it as a learning experience will get you where you want to go quicker.

How do I know? I’m living proof, and if I can do it, trust me, so can you. Go get it.