(This was originally written in November 2003, but it seems like a good time to re-surface the message.)

“Bob just got two listings and has another contract underway. Steve is in the office listening to training tapes.” The instant message from a friend stared at me from my computer screen. I couldn’t stop laughing.

How often do we get so caught up in the preparation or analysis of the solutions that we don’t get on with the process, whatever the process is. Whether it is selling houses or widgets, sinking a putt or making a life change, we too frequently read books and articles, listen to tapes and friends, or concentrate to no conclusion as time and potential goes by.

There is no shortage of places to go for solutions: speakers, tapes, books, web sites, groups and organizations abound to help us help ourselves. I believe a flaw in this process is the assumption that we must fully understand ourselves and/or others and/or the dilemma before we act. That is an impossible conundrum because we’ll never fully understand ourselves or our Selves, much less all else. Self-discovery is part of the fun in living out our years. Heaven forbid the day there is nothing new to understand about ourselves. As we experience and seek more, we learn more. Action is part of the learning, not contingent upon it.

Whether for personal or professional goals, we can either do or study how to do, or combine the two in an interactive, magical dance. Sometimes you have to quit training and start performing. The best self-help is action.