In this ongoing series about how to become a man of action, I have decided to break down the steps of practically doing something. Now, I would suggest that if you have not had a chance yet to read Steps 1, 2, & 3, to do so before proceeding onto the rest of the article. 

Actually doing something.

Years ago I had taken it upon myself to learn how I could craft my own wooden furniture. I spent hours online looking at designs and styles I loved, watched YouTube videos, and bought books on the topic. Finally, I decided on my first project and proceeded to start the arduous overwhelming process of doing something for the first time. 

I drove around in my truck until I found some wooden pallets in dumpsters or scavenged Craigslist for any free lumber that was posted. After accumulating a mountain of wood and a decent amount of frustration trying to pull the pallets apart, I was then launched into the phase of the project that slowly began to change my life... articulating and building my vision. Back in Step 2 I briefly touch on the topic of creating a vision. Well, woodworking is a very practical example of creating a vision and then acting upon it and honestly it is a hobby that you can tangible see results pretty quick.

So, after drawing a rough sketch of what I had envisioned, I started to ponder and consider upon ways in which I could go about constructing this magnificent piece of furniture that I was so proud of. Instead of contemplating for days and weeks how to go about this, I just decided on one method and started trying. Did you notice what I just wrote there? I didn't wait for the perfect, meticulous plan and thousands of options. I had a vision for what I wanted and a general sense of how to start, so I did.

LIFE IS EXACTLY LIKE THIS. If you spend years creating options, plans, and ideas of how to take action, you will continue to do just that. Perfectionism is just a defense mechanism created to stop you from feeling shame and failure. I am not saying don't have a vision or plan. What I am saying is often times people use the excuse in their minds that their plan needs to be perfect before taking action. This is just plainly false. 

Let's get back to the woodworking though. So, I started building what I had sketched out on some paper. Things didn't exactly go as I expected so I had to adapt and adjust as necessary. Then I became sober to the reality that what I was trying to create was more difficult than anticipated. This didn't stop me though; I accepted the challenge with open arms. I just kept showing up and asking myself what is the next step that I can do, and then I would do it. One step at a time. 

After hours and hours of labor, frustration, splinters, blood, and dust I finished the project. Once I moved this piece of furniture from the garage into my house. I felt a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction; BUT, now I wanted to tackle a bigger challenge. So I instantly started to plan my next endeavor. 

So what does this all have to do with actually doing something? EVERYTHING! Let me break down this story into points for the sake of conversation in regards to taking action.

• Research/education
• Start gathering material for the project
• Articulate a clear vision
• Create a beginning plan of action and start right away
• Adjust the route of action if necessary.
• Confront and overcome adversity and problems.
• Persevere and keep showing up
• Finish the goal
• Reflect on what was learn and bask in my accomplishment
• Rinse and repeat

Learning these steps and consistently taking them from small to larger endeavors has empowered me to be a man of action. These steps have applied from building furniture to building my business. 

At the core of all of this if you desire to be a man of action one of the biggest hurdles you will need to overcome is this. Your excuses. If you live in a world where you align with excuses you will not be a person of action. There will always be excuses why you should not do something. Let's dive into this a litter further though.

You have to fucking wage war on excuses, fears, and self-hatred. The very second those three pieces of shit try to wiggle their way into your life and sabotage your dreams, goals, and ambitions drop some nuclear bombs on them and declare war. This may seem a bit extreme to you but let me tell you. Excuses, fears, and self-hatred will not build your dreams. They will only stop you from going through the points that I listed above. 

How do you fight them? The biggest way is to be self-aware. Asking yourself why you are or are not doing something can be a painfully revealing process. 

After you do a self-check and you realize you are afraid of failure, or think you don't have the time or money right now I want you to do this.

Disregard these thoughts and start taking small actionable steps towards your dreams. Write your ambitions down and share them with a friend. Ask someone for help who has done what you want to do. Just stop making excuses. 

THERE IS A CREATIVE SOLUTION FOR EVERY PROBLEM! If you start believing that your life will be drastically changed. 

Cheers. 

Timothy