JohnRunchey.com

Success is predicated upon actions; while desire and faith are essential first steps, simply wanting and wishing will not get you anywhere. To move forward towards your goals, you must act. It is easy to drop the ball here and remain motionless, stuck in place. We even have phrases to express this:

• Talk is cheap
• Actions speak louder than words
• You've talked the talk, now walk the walk
• A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step

As I've said before, success is not rocket science. You just have to get off your butt and start doing things, one small step at a time. The steps don't even have to be correct - taking action, any action, puts you on the path to success. You will continually correct your course as you progress forward and learn.
 
An excellent tool to assist in marching forward is the written list. I like simplicity, and so will write a list of things to do on whatever I have handy at the moment, usually a notepad I have lying around. Friday night I'll make a list of what I want to get accomplished over the weekend. If I am working on a particular project, such as creating this website, I'll have a running list of what I want to accomplish next. For this site my list includes figuring out RSS feeds, integrating an adsense block into my content, and making a backup plan.
 
There is something peculiar about writing things down on a list - having it in writing, you are far more likely to actually do it. I've experienced this time and again; as the day is coming to a close, the image of my list flashes into my consciousness and I am compelled to complete what I can. Having it in writing gives it power, gives it authority, makes it concrete. Written, it is an action to be completed, rather than just a vague idea in your head of what needs to be done.
 
And as any list maker knows, there is a real feeling of satisfaction in crossing items off the list, a feeling of empowerment, a knowing that if you can do this, you can do anything you set your mind to.
 
So what is on your list for today? Do you have multiple lists for different projects?
 
If you aren't a list-maker, give it a try, you'll be pleased at the results.