Take Action in May - Christine Kane

Tomorrow is the first of May. One month before June.

Why is this significant?

June is halfway through the year. Thirty days from now, we’ll be in the sixth month of 2007. Are you the kind of person who gets to June and thinks, “Ohmigod, the year is half over – I haven’t even done anything with my goals or my word of the year!” ? If so, here’s your chance to do something empowering. You can get in on May’s Take-Action Challenge.

I get lots of emails and phone calls from readers of my blog. Their questions and concerns are often about where to begin. Where do you begin when you realize that you have so much to work on? Where do you begin when your business is in disarray and you’re tired? Where do you begin when your emotions keep sabotaging your progress? Where do you begin when you recognize that your health is out of balance?

Where to begin:

1 – You pick one thing. Your ego will hate this part. Your ego wants it all done now or doesn’t want to bother trying. Ignore that voice. Just pick one thing. It doesn’t matter what it is. The process – not just the end result – is what teaches you and grows you.

2 – You set the intent. Find a way to state your desire. Know what you want. Create an affirmation to use throughout the month. Get as clear about this intent as you can. What will it feel like to have this goal complete? What overall purpose does it have? In what way will the completion of it help you be happier or more centered or wealthier?

3 – After that, you take action. Taking action tells the universe (or your subconscious or your doubting voices), “…and I mean it!” The action is the seal. The action brings confidence.

Get Committed

When I first began in my songwriting career, I never admitted to anyone that I was a songwriter. I didn’t want them to say, “Oh yea? Prove it!” So, I hedged. I used phrases like “kind of,” “sort of,” “well, not that this could ever happen, but…” Then I found this quote from explorer W.H. Murray —

Until one is committed there is the chance to draw back; always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would not otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have dreamed would come his way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.”

I posted this quote on my music room wall. Then, I started to act. I changed my language. I began telling people “I’m a songwriter.” And I started writing everyday no matter what. Slowly, a career grew. And even more important, so did I.

Get some grace

The truest part of Murray’s statement is the part that says, “…then providence moves too.” Some would call this grace. Some would call it Law of Attraction. I don’t care what you call it. It’s the truth. My first gig was in a trashy bar. Someone stuffed a hundred dollar bill into my tip jar as he was leaving and said, “Keep doing this!” That was grace. (After having minimum wage jobs, that was a lot of money to me!) It has been a constant in my career, too. From guitar endorsement deals to people sending me audible.com gift certificates to thank me for blogging, (thank you right back!) I’ve had lots of synchronicities show up in my life just because I took action.

Of course, you’ll have ego voices telling you all the usual ego messages like “you’ll never pull this off” and “there’s just too much to do here.” But that’s why we do things to trick the ego. The next post will show you the very best way to do that.

In the meantime, your assignment – should you choose to accept it – is to pick one or two (more than two is a bit much if you’re new to this) goals to complete in May.

p.s. Joe Vitale wrote an inspiring little blog post about the power of action. Read it here.

p.p.s. Did you know that you can view an indexed list of all my blog posts by clicking on the word “Archive” in the right sidebar? WebGuy created that tool just for you!

23 COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT
  • Kathy Gilbert

    Yesterday I heard that just 10 minutes of exercise a day can help overweight people get healthier. Doesn’t sound like much, but it is something I can commit to for 30 days. I don’t have to listen to the inner nag who says…that is not enough….don’t bother. Well, inner voice, if it is not enough than you should not be bothered by my committing to it.

  • Renee

    Personally, I usually get to June and say “Thank GOODNESS the year is half over because it means that SUMMER is here and the weather is WARM!” But I get your point 😉 LOL. I’m gong to use your ideas for getting some things done that I’ve been “sitting” on for a while. This is just what I needed to take action. Thanks!

    -Renee
    WEAR the Law of Attraction
    http://www.manifes-t.com

  • Kelli King

    Ah, terrific! I hadn’t read the blog in a few days, but what a delight to return and find this post! And Caren and Meg’s wonderful responses! Great stuff ladies. I hadn’t read the blog this week because I had spent the time tidying up some old goals. Cleaned out my small garden, washed the porchlight, scrubbed the front door, repotted some old plants–ok, three, seven plus
    foot cacti-ouch, and planted some new ones. Today I enjoyed my coffee in the blue morning light with the rest of the early birds, and then came into the computer to find this! Synchronicity! Thanks, Christine. And to everyone who shares their thoughts and discoveries. This is a wellspring of goodness. It’s beyond inspirational to find people that dare us to keep becoming, to keep improving and to give us the encouragement to keep trying. Thank you all for sharing how you’re doing it! And thanks for sharing the quotes and sources of your inspiration!

  • Christine Kane

    Hey Meg! Wow, thanks for all that. It’s perfect! (and no one but me and you need to know about comment editing! 🙂 ) You’re welcome for sharing, and yes I’ll keep doing!

  • Meg

    Christine, What a wonderful idea to set May first as a date for renewal! Even though every day is a new beginning, it is nice to know that others are marking the day, too. I’ll call it “collective intent.”

    I’ve got out my neon index cards and am coming up with a plan!

    Interestingly, according to dictionary.com, the American Heritage Dictionary defines “may” as (among other definitions) the following. I’ve also noted why the definitions resonate with me in application to your post.
    1. To be allowed or permitted to: May I take a swim? Yes, you may.
    Used to indicate a certain measure of likelihood or possibility: It may rain this afternoon.
    My application: “To be allowed or permitted to take care of myself in a new way.”
    2. Used to express a desire or fervent wish: Long may he live!
    My application: “To make the time for a long-desired ‘something.’ –create the space for it to be.
    3. Used to express contingency, purpose, or result in clauses introduced by that or so that: expressing ideas so that the average person may understand.
    My application: “So that I can achieve a level of comfort, peace and/or accomplishment.”
    4. The springtime of life; youth.
    My application: “To go into a goal with the enthusiasm and curiosity of a child.”

    How fitting your post is to their definitions. I don’t know *how* you do it – your blog, your music, your insights, etc . Just, please, *keep* doing it! And endless thanks for *sharing* it!

    -meg

  • Christine Kane

    I’m seeing a whole new big six figure blog!

  • Caren

    Personal Development for Confused People ®

  • Christine Kane

    Thanks Caren! I love the Thoreau quote of course… and the Caren quote is great too: “I’ve learned if one flops awkwardly, full of self-doubt and insecurity, in the general driection of her dreams, sometimes that’s enough to start.” Very quotable you are!

  • Caren

    Here’s a couple more:

    “Hope in every sphere of life is a privilege that attaches to action.
    No action, no hope.” ~ Samuel Johnson

    OK – that one’s a bit… harsh if you’re depressed or stuck – but it’s still true! I’ve had to re-define action; when I was in a bad, bad place, showering and brushing my teeth were actions. Not necessarily toward some goal – but actions nonetheless. And they made a difference, and brought hope. And this one:

    “I have learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

    Though, of course, I’ve learned if one flops awkwardly, full of self-doubt and insecurity, in the general direction of her dreams, sometimes that’s enough to start.

    peace ~

  • Christine Kane

    Hi Elaine, Glad this helps! Yes, it’s easy to go to a retreat and then get behind on your goals after a month or two. Be kind to you when you get back on track!

    Almost happy birthday Judy! (Try writing your work-out time INTO your calendar so that it’s there and committed to in advance. That works for me.)

    Hello Joy, Lots of people attribute this quote to Goethe. Actually it’s WH Murray – and then he refers to Goethe. But yes, it’s worthy of wall posting!

  • Joy Langtry

    Christine, I have the quote you posted hanging on my wall… it’s wonderfully inspiring, and mine has a few slight variations, and is attributed to Goethe! 🙂 So, I’m guessing that either WH Murray was quoting Goethe, or Goethe was quoting Murray. Either way, doesn’t matter – the meaning is clear and relevant.

    Thanks again for your wonderful blog, and Yay WebGuy!
    Love,
    Joy

  • Judy

    I love the W.H.Murray quote. I think it is like an affirmation. When you start to say it out loud, you eventually start to act “as if”. For me it was being willing to say “I am an artist”.

    Now to recommit to getting fit! A major birthday is coming in the beginning of June, and the commitment I had to working out regularly was interrupted by life. But it is time to refocus so I can have the energy and well-being I need to to the work I am meant to do. Thanks for the mental boost.

  • Elaine

    Great post!! Last Friday I actually said to a friend “Ohmigod, the year is nearly half over – ” – This has really got me thinking and I’m committing today to the ‘take action challenge’. I can seem to find lots of excuses why I’m not doing anything… it’s easy to wallow in excuses. I have set my intention and I’m going to take daily action. Thank you for being out there and sharing your wisdom.Your blog is my life-line – it’s really helping me to continuously link back to the March retreat! Can’t wait for the next post….