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How to make someone take action?

by catchingeye
23 replies
Note: I would have preferred to title this 'How to encourage someone to take action?'... but I'd already submitted the thread :-p

Not to start this thread off on a low... but I'm sure many of you have seen others squander their potential...

They could be people you are close to, they could be people you just admire for what they could do...

But the thing is... even though we all know that 'taking action' is the single most important thing... how do you suppose you could encourage a person to reach that point in their minds where it comes down to 'Yes' or 'No'...?

Because most of the time, the mind simply distracts itself from answering that question... because yes means work and no means admitting you're lazy.

I've been at this point many times in my life... on a weekly basis in fact.

e.g. Do I do the dishes now, or later... because I know I could do them later, and I'm not doing anything now... hmm...?

At that point the sudden prospect of 'getting it over and done with' enters my mind and I have to cling onto it for all I'm worth, shutting down all other thoughts and just saying 'yes yes yes yes yes...' over and over again in my head until I find myself with marigold gloves on and a bottle of washing liquid in my hand :p

I heard a phrase once... "nobody changes until it hurts enough."

Do things really have to get to their worst before they get better?

If so... is it moral to push someone into their worst

Just a joke guys... but an interesting thought I had all the same :rolleyes:
#action #make
  • Profile picture of the author PLR Basket
    You can't force motivation onto someone!

    If someone doesn't wish to change, let them live their lives... Don't feel sorry because they're not living up to what you see as their "true potential". Let people follow their own rhythm...
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    • Profile picture of the author Odahh
      remember the mumbo jumbo.

      The things you notice about other people that bother you. Are really the thing that bother you about you . So if it is really annoying you that other people are not taking action it is because you are not taking action on certain things.

      The only way to make someone do something is fear of some kind.
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      • Profile picture of the author feiyin85
        Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

        remember the mumbo jumbo.

        The things you notice about other people that bother you. Are really the thing that bother you about you . So if it is really annoying you that other people are not taking action it is because you are not taking action on certain things.

        The only way to make someone do something is fear of some kind.
        Totally agree.I change the way i do things because i want to prevent the fear of some thing that will happen to me.
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      • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
        Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

        remember the mumbo jumbo.

        The things you notice about other people that bother you. Are really the thing that bother you about you . So if it is really annoying you that other people are not taking action it is because you are not taking action on certain things.

        The only way to make someone do something is fear of some kind.
        This is a really interesting point... although I want to point out that it doesn't annoy me, it just... well I suppose it's very much something that came from within.

        I used to procrastinate... not so much anymore as the business has really taken off. The last couple of months have been insane and every day has brought a new challenge and it's kept me incredibly sharp and motivated.

        But I used to procrastinate. So I can see how much better things are now compared to then... but it all comes down to that 'yes' or 'no' decision. The sooner you say 'yes' the sooner things start to improve.

        And the last thing I want to do is put fear into someone... I'm not going to go up to my friend and threaten them with 'If you don't go about starting that business you're always talking about in the next 24 hours, then I'll steal your car' :p

        But I do think there's another way than fear... although it wouldn't be 'making' someone do anything, the encouragement can always be there and it can really help.

        So I guess the answer to my original post is something along the lines of 'lead by example' or 'be inspirational'... ah, a little epiphany.

        Thanks guys
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    • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
      Originally Posted by Chris Moore View Post

      You can't force motivation onto someone!

      If someone doesn't wish to change, let them live their lives... Don't feel sorry because they're not living up to what you see as their "true potential". Let people follow their own rhythm...
      I didn't mean so much 'force' someone... and I didn't even have anyone in mind... it was just a musing really. I don't plan to intervene on anyone, as I think, as it seems you do, that would be a little arrogant / self-righteous.

      I'm thinking more along the lines of encouragement. A lot of folks don't realise what's out there... what's possible if they just try. Too much fear and doubt, when all they really need to do is 'do'. The rest falls into place.

      Although to tell the truth, on occasion I do feel bad for some folks because they clearly aren't happy with their situation but they also won't take that leap of faith. They'll come to it in their own time, of course... but I was wondering if there's a way for them to 'not' hit rock bottom beforehand.

      Of course hitting rock bottom is one serious a character builder if you decide to come back from it
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  • Profile picture of the author jborjaperez
    I.M.O - We live in a reactive society.. People do not take action and move forward because they are complacent with where they are at.. And where they are in life, does not "hurt" enough.. The only way to inspire someone to do more.. Is by first doing it yourself, and leading the way.. To let them know that it's okay to take the next step into the unknown. Success is a habit, and changing habits is very difficult. It's the stop button for most people..

    -j
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    • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
      Originally Posted by jborjaperez View Post

      I.M.O - We live in a reactive society.. People do not take action and move forward because they are complacent with where they are at.. And where they are in life, does not "hurt" enough.. The only way to inspire someone to do more.. Is by first doing it yourself, and leading the way.. To let them know that it's okay to take the next step into the unknown. Success is a habit, and changing habits is very difficult. It's the stop button for most people..

      -j
      I just came to the same conclusion man, right on :-)

      It's like that other thing... if you are at the top of the stairs leading down into a dark cellar you've never been in before... someone has to take the first step. But once that step is taken and everything seems ok, it's that much easier for everything else to step too.

      Not everyone will go, but a few will.

      Thanks man
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
    Taking action simply involves discipline. Do you have the discipline to do something NOW even though you don't really want to? But where does discipline come from? In my opinion it comes from practice, creating habits for your mind.

    For example today my Grandfather was shoveling snow off the grass. I didn't understand why he would do this. Even went as far to ask him why in the hell was he shoveling snow off the grass! He replied that the snow's weight would kill the grass, as it did last year.

    He most likely would have rather been inside reading a book, but he had the discipline to take action now instead of working ten times harder in the spring/summer getting the grass to come back.

    But in my mind I still think its a silly thing to do, which means I lack discipline in the bigger picture. If I did I would have taken action just like he did and prevented a problem instead of having to solve one later.
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    • Profile picture of the author PLR Basket
      Originally Posted by BloggingPro View Post

      Taking action simply involves discipline. Do you have the discipline to do something NOW even though you don't really want to? But where does discipline come from? In my opinion it comes from practice, creating habits for your mind.

      For example today my Grandfather was shoveling snow off the grass. I didn't understand why he would do this. Even went as far to ask him why in the hell was he shoveling snow off the grass! He replied that the snow's weight would kill the grass, as it did last year.

      He most likely would have rather been inside reading a book, but he had the discipline to take action now instead of working ten times harder in the spring/summer getting the grass to come back.

      But in my mind I still think its a silly thing to do, which means I lack discipline in the bigger picture. If I did I would have taken action just like he did and prevented a problem instead of having to solve one later.
      If you love something, you don't need motivation to maintain it...

      Your grandfather loves his grass, so he doesn't need motivation to go out and take care of it. Lack of motivation is a sign that you're off track and not doing what you really enjoy doing...
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      • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
        Originally Posted by Chris Moore View Post

        If you love something, you don't need motivation to maintain it...

        Your grandfather loves his grass, so he doesn't need motivation to go out and take care of it. Lack of motivation is a sign that you're off track and not doing what you really enjoy doing...
        I agree with this actually.

        Even back when I did procrastinate... I would always have a project I'd be working on. To most people it would seem like a gring... daily updates, minor adjustments... menial work at times, but I loved it!

        That led me to the breakthrough I had recently I suppose... but for some people it's programming, others its grass... for others its talking in groups, others its going to the gym, playing sports... there really is something for everyone if they get on track to what they really enjoy
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    • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
      Originally Posted by BloggingPro View Post

      Taking action simply involves discipline. Do you have the discipline to do something NOW even though you don't really want to? But where does discipline come from? In my opinion it comes from practice, creating habits for your mind.

      For example today my Grandfather was shoveling snow off the grass. I didn't understand why he would do this. Even went as far to ask him why in the hell was he shoveling snow off the grass! He replied that the snow's weight would kill the grass, as it did last year.

      He most likely would have rather been inside reading a book, but he had the discipline to take action now instead of working ten times harder in the spring/summer getting the grass to come back.

      But in my mind I still think its a silly thing to do, which means I lack discipline in the bigger picture. If I did I would have taken action just like he did and prevented a problem instead of having to solve one later.
      This was a really cool post.

      That is something the older generations definitely have over us... they got things done. It wasn't always easy, and certainly wasn't always something they enjoyed doing... but it had to be done and they took care of business themselves.

      I admire guys like your grandad so highly and they really have inspired me. They were tougher and more disciplined than we are as a generation. I take more action now than I ever used to and it really is reaping the rewards. I mean the software engineers we have at the company and I have just created this software, which is essentially an AI that writes and submits articles automatically. As I mentioned earlier, it took months to develop this into something we could sell and at any time I could have said 'actually guys, I think it's time for a day off'.

      But the motivation was there to get it up and running and KEEP it running.

      And it was easy, after it became habit. Starting with one hour a day and building on this... now if I do take a day off, I'm restless and need to get back to work!!

      Or go for a nice long walk
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  • Profile picture of the author ktmakwana
    From my experience, the people who take action are the people whose "WHY" is unwavering!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kom
    You Have to tell them
    to dream deep
    and he will take action
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    • Profile picture of the author catchingeye
      Originally Posted by Kom View Post

      You Have to tell them
      to dream deep
      and he will take action
      See this is it right here... I'm now wondering how much of a gap there is between a dream and taking action.

      I mean someone can have a dream... hopefully most people still do. But it's actually pursuing it that counts.

      If a dream stays a dream, it'll never come to fruition.

      I get what you mean about dreaming deep though, like thinking about what you REALLY want... not just paying off debt and owning your house outright... but the REAL things... like a family that's taken care of no matter what... or a place in the sun or the snow to escape to whenever.

      But I guess... the more detailed the dream, and the truer the passion... the more likely the action... nice
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  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    You can't change anyone.

    You can't make anyone change.

    And you can't make anyone take action.

    All you can do is encourage positive action and NOT enable negative behavior. If someone messes up, let them experience the FULL consequences of their actions.

    (If you need a good example of what happens when you enable someone, I just came across this thread from a couple of weeks ago. Their supporter/enabler died and 6 . . . SIX . . . grown adults are sitting around letting their life cave in around them.)

    Other than that, the best way to encourage and inspire someone is to live the walk yourself. You can talk until you're blue in the face, but the proof is in the pudding. If they see something work for you, they will be encouraged to do the same.
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    ~ Plato
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    Actually there's a lot of things to do in order to make other to take action but for me the best thing is to motivate and inspired them.
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  • Profile picture of the author SFIMike
    I would say it depends on the task(that you are trying to accomplish or get them to respond to). A general trend I notice is that alot of times, it can depend on the time of year. I would say may times if someone has a big intrinsic satisfaction with a task or an item that "putting it on them" as in asking something simple that would illicit a simple answer is enough to motivate someone to take action - of course if the timing is right. Don't motivate people, allow them to motivate themselves. You may just have to light the fire under their seat to get them to stand up
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  • Profile picture of the author jushuaburnham
    To motivate and to inspire someone is a big key to make them take action. Influenced them to be more positive in life then they will be more eager take action.
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  • Profile picture of the author angelguy
    Threat is a factor too
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Kerr
    You have to show them their own need... and make them acknowledge it, then you must show them a serious of steps, action steps, that solve that need. You must show them, while framing your words in the YOU form, so they identify with it better.
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