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Success Advice

4 Reasons Taking Action Is Crucial In Achieving Success

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If you’ve ever learnt how to drive a car, cook your favorite meal, or learnt another language; then you know that achieving success requires that you go beyond simply reading. It’s easy enough to read through a bunch of self-help books, guidance notes and success techniques, but the fact is that all the resources in the world can only get you so far.

What good does it do you to simply know of an effective technique if you never try it out?!

Why you must stop reading and start taking action now 

Reading is a great first step to making the necessary changes in your life, however, the changes can only be made once you actually take action. If you keep reading and reading and you don’t do anything with what you are learning, it’s a form of procrastination and success and procrastinating aren’t friends.

If you are not convinced, here are 4 reasons why taking action is a crucial element to achieving results:

1. Actions activate information

What changes after you’ve read a particularly motivating piece of information with useful, practical tips? Nothing, unless you’re able to use the information to make real, tangible changes! Reading a book on becoming more confident, for example, won’t magically transform you into an individual free of insecurities. Only through application can information really be made useful. There is no exception.

“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” – Dalai Lama

2. Actions facilitate the method of elimination

How will you ever know what techniques/tips do or don’t work for you if you never give any a real try?! Making the necessary changes requires that you go through numerous trial and error processes that will help you to eliminate the techniques that don’t work for you –  this will leave you enough time and energy to focus on practising and perfecting those that do!

 

3Actions create habits – which lead to success

It’s important to understand that change and success is an ongoing process. You can’t just take one action, make one attempt, and call it a day. New actions that initially require a lot of effort do eventually turn into habitual patterns of behavior. The hardest part about taking actions towards change is actually getting started. The more you repeat a new action, the more natural it becomes, but if you never start, it will never become a habit.

 

4. Actions substantiate your sense of accomplishment

Making the effort to research and read up on different topics can give you a false sense of accomplishment. You put all that effort into reading all those books so now you’re bound to change, right?! Wrong! If you find yourself reading tons of books/articles but never actually taking any action, then you need to explore the possibility that this is your way of justifying procrastination and resisting change.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

 

Moving forward 

So you’ve acknowledged the importance of taking action… then what?! No matter what you’ve been reading or what you’re trying to achieve, the three general guidelines below are designed to set you on the right track to becoming more action-oriented:

  •  Determine what you need to take action on: What areas of your life do you need to make changes in? Whether it’s your morning routine that’s leaving you less than productive or your eating habits that are leaving you lethargic throughout the whole day, you need to get crystal clear on your problem areas before you can set any effective plans. Change is never easy so expect setbacks and don’t give up!
  • Identify the necessary steps of action: It’s important to differentiate between impulsive actions without direction and well-determined and thought out actions that will bring you more success in life. Before you jump into taking aimless steps in the wrong direction, take a moment to identify which actions would have the intended results. Think about how your current actions contribute to the problem and make a note of how you’re going to change/replace these actions in order to achieve success.
  • Prepare yourself to ensure the best possible outcomes: The more prepared you are to face a wide variety of eventualities, the more likely you are to be successful at making changes in your life. How can you tell whether you’re prepared enough?

A quick way of gauging how prepared you are is by asking yourself the four questions below:

  1. Do you need any resources in order to bring your plans to fruition?
  2. Of the resources you need, which do you currently not have access to?
  3. Can you foresee any potential obstacles in your path to success?
  4. What are the possible actions you could take to avoid/overcome potential obstacles?
Are you ready to take action?

There’s a reason that despite all the wealth of information available out there today, so many people still struggle to turn the knowledge available into real, practical actions and benefits. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that taking action requires a lot more motivation and will-power than reading!

In the words of Sean Reichle: “Doing nothing gets you nothing” – remember that the next time you decide to read through potentially beneficial information! You could read all the self-help books in the world and have all the intentions of achieving success, but unless you take massive action on the knowledge you gain, you’re better off reading fairy tales!

When are you going to start taking action? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Kirstin O’Donovan is a “multinational” productivity coach, author and founder of TopResultsCoaching an international company providing coaching services in nearly a dozen countries. With over 10 years working in the field of coaching and personal development, she provides her expertise to help individuals create the life and results they desire.   Kirstin also writes for various international publications in personal development. Kirstin, a certified NLP Practitioner, holds various qualifications, certificates and credentials related to personal and business coaching. She is the author of ‘Maximize your time to maximize your profit’ and Co-Author of ‘The Confident Woman’ and ‘There is GOLD inside YOU.’

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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Mark Manson life lessons on success
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In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Social media is one of the greatest marketing tools in 2025. According to a recent study, some 86% of marketers globally use platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertisements, while 94% use it for content distribution.  (more…)

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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