Are You Stuck?

You know the feeling.

There's something you want to do. You've thought about it, you've made your decision, and now it's time to act.

Except... you don't.

You want to take the next step, but "something" stops you. Do you know what that "something" is?

It's all down to our ancient ancestors...

Backtrack 100,000 years ago when we all lived in caves and ferocious animals lurked nearby.

Decision making in those days was literally a matter of life and death. If you took a wrong turn, or made yourself too visible, you would attract predators who would eat you for dinner. You and the entire group.

Whatever action you took, you had to be 100% certain before taking it. One mistake meant death.

Fast forward to today.

100,000 years on, and the human brain has evolved into a marvel of sophisticated intelligence. Unfortunately, it still contains the primitive thinking layer used by our ancestors.

And there lies the problem.

Because even today, we still have this overriding need for the elusive quality that enabled our primitive forebears to survive:

Certainty.

And so although the decisions we face nowadays are seldom a matter of life and death, they can often feel that way thanks to our genetic inheritance.

That's why the first step is always the hardest to take.

Anytime you decide to do something new, you are stepping outside "the cave of the familiar" into unknown territory where you are likely to experience some form of fear.

And this sense of discomfort is so strong, you'll do anything to avoid it.

Typical tricks include avoidance, delay, or "over- thinking"...

"Over-thinking" is when you continue to think about making a decision, long after you've actually decided! What you're really doing is creating a safe mental environment for yourself. By constantly thinking about something, it becomes familiar, and so you start to feel comfortable around it.

The problem with "over-thinking" is that it doesn't move you forward one tiny bit, and only results in wasted time and lost opportunities.

Ultimately, a decision is not a decision until it's acted upon. Until that point, it remains a dream.

Here's how to ease yourself out of procrastination and into action using what I call the "triple A" method...

Accept -> Ask -> Act

Step #1 - Accept

Accept uncertainty is a part of life.

Just by doing this, you'll become aware of your feelings surrounding a decision and put them into perspective by relating them to your own primeval craving for certainty.

Realize that even with the best analysis, careful planning, and due diligence, the outcome can never really be known in advance and there comes a time when you've got to take the risk and move forward.

Step #2 - Ask

Ask yourself: "What's the worst that can happen here?"

Look at the worst case scenario, and ask yourself what you'd really lose from it. Most often, it's a lot less than you might have feared.

And what can you do if the worst scenario was to materialize? Could you backtrack? Change direction? Start again? Few things are ever truly final.

Usually you'll find you've got nothing to worry about.

Step #3 - Act

Finally, act. Just do it. Take the next step.

Making a decision and acting on it is enormously liberating.

You get a sudden burst of momentum as you cast off the shackles of procrastination and finally move forward towards your goal.

The old maxim "If in doubt, leave it out" is essential advice when driving or engaging in other hazardous activities.

For most decisions in life, though, you can afford to take a little risk and start living.

The next time you feel stuck, use the 'AAA' technique to help you move forward.

Accept. Ask. Act.

'7 Steps To Mental Mastery' -- Learn how to think faster, read quicker, concentrate deeper, solve any problem and achieve anything you want. Get started immediately: http://7StepsToMentalMastery.com

About The Author

Murdo Macleod is the creator of the popular course: '7 Steps To Mental Mastery'.

http://7StepsToMentalMastery.com

---

Curing the Blues - 14 Feel-Good Ways to Get Out of the Dumps

Everyone goes through that "in the blues" feeling once in... Read More

Are Your Dreams A Day Late And A Dollar Short?

One of the greatest challenges facing our ever intensive quest... Read More

So What Is Your Real Motivation?

We are all guilty of wanting to change our circumstances,... Read More

Procrastination Strategies: Boost Your Productivity by Getting On With It

We all suffer from procrastination from time to time but... Read More

Stick With the Winners

Here is an interesting quotation from Stephen Walsh."We're building up... Read More

The Secret to this Famous Singers Success

It seems the longer think we have, the longer we... Read More

4 Simple Ways To Get Over Your Need For Acceptance... And Get On With Your Life

Imagine what your life would be like if you could... Read More

Rebirth from the Ashes

The legend of the phoenix can actually be found... Read More

Hold That Elevator!

As Prince, or whatever his name is now put it... Read More

Its a Habit

Do you sometimes have the feeling that you're running into... Read More

Speed Reading Technique

Four Brilliant Tips to Speed Read Faster than EverMany people,... Read More

Book Summary: If Life is a Game, These are the Rules

This #1 New York Times bestseller offers some useful and... Read More

About That Dream...

About that Dream...Remember your very first job? That all-grown-up feeling!... Read More

If Theres Money in a Dead Mouse...

My 4 year old son was very excited. I had... Read More

Ten Major Causes of Failure

-Lack of a specific purpose in life. You can not... Read More

Life Doesnt Have A Sell By Date

Or does it?Best on or before?.. Nearly everything we touch... Read More

Motivation By Consequences

In 2004 seven badly behaved teenagers were sent to a... Read More

Get Off Your Butt and Create Your Financial Future?Now!

Most people have no idea where their money goes. They... Read More

Ten Sure-Fire Rules To Put Old On Hold By At Least 25 Years

Would you like to feel and function like age 40... Read More

Ten Terrific Self Motivating Tips

No one can motivate anyone to do anything. All a... Read More

Motivation: The Cure for Complacency

Q. I've always tried to work hard enough to provide... Read More

The Easy Way To Lasting Self Motivation

Will power alone will never work over the long term.... Read More

12 Reflections on Personal Responsibility

Responsibility means being accountable for what we think, say, and... Read More

Keep the Channel Open

Why do you do what you do? What is your... Read More

How Poor Are You!

Do you want to know your poverty graph? You are... Read More