In the movie, Band of Brothers, there is an intense battle scene where a Lieutenant is immobilized by indecision just as he begins a dangerous attack on a German stronghold. He is paralyzed by fear, leaving his troops exposed to enemy fire and compromising the mission. Remarkably, another officer rushes into the middle of the fight to replace the incapacitated officer and continue the attack.
Realizing that he must communicate with a second squad of soldiers on the other side of the battlefield, the new officer charges directly into the line of fire and breaks through the enemy line. He gives his men their orders, and runs back to his original position. So unexpected was his exploit that the German troops were stunned into inaction. They literally sat and watched as he penetrated their ranks—twice!
Moral of the story: Taking action is more important in goal achievement than anything else. Action is more influential than technique, tactics, talent, pedigree, or intelligence. The more action we take, the more information we get. And the more information we get, the better we are able to improve what we do. In other words, consistent daily action helps us make smarter decisions.
Move. Act. Stir up some dust. Try something new. Then try something else. Opportunities will come as you take action.
A few years ago, I strategized with Steve who wanted to fly for a large regional airline. He had obtained his pilot’s license several years prior, but had only been flying cargo carriers part- time. He wasn’t making enough money, he was bored, and he was in a rut. It was time for him to “stake his claim.” Together we began to outline his action plan. For the first time, he wrote own his intention. Just that first act—writing it down—shifted not only his attitude from defeat to hope, but his perspective from impossible to achievable.
At the airport a few weeks later, he saw a group of employees wearing the uniform of his desired airline. With his new mindset, he gathered his courage, walked up to the group, and began asking them questions about the company. Could they offer him any advice on getting hired?
Coincidentally, one member of the group happened to be the VP of flight operations for the company. A few days later, Steve received an interview packet. He was hired shortly thereafter, and six years later he is still happily employed there.
Decide. Plant a stake in the ground declaring who you are and how you will serve others, even if your plan isn’t perfect. Begin by writing down your goals as clearly as possible. Your goals give you a starting point from which you can begin your search.
Try new things and reach out to people in new ways. It’s possible to become paralyzed by fear when you think of doing something new or uncomfortable. To overcome your fear, look honestly at the real costs of a choice before deciding what action to take. Usually the downside is not as
bad as you imagine it.
One way to measure the actual risk of an action is to imagine what could happen in the worst-case scenario. For instance, you are afraid to call someone to ask about their needs. Cold calling is new to you and you just aren’t sure what to say. What is the real risk? You mess up the conversation and hang up the phone. Your ego gets hurt—but you might learn something too.
If the real risks are too great, think creatively about ways to reduce them. For example, if I am working out a contract with a client, and he wants to commit me to a longer time frame than I’m comfortable with, I propose a ninety–day trial period. Instead of over-committing myself or losing the deal, I lessen my risk by suggesting an option that works for both of us. Have the courage to fearlessly assess risk. Do not miss an opportunity because of an unknown, unmeasured risk. Calculate it, manage it, and then proceed with your plan.
