How to Be More Action Oriented

What Does it Mean to Be “Action Oriented”?

Some seem to think that the definition of being action oriented is simply doing things. But researching a paper isn’t the same as writing the paper; setting meetings and writing agendas and sending follow-up emails isn’t the same as completing—or even starting—a project at work. Movement for movement’s sake isn’t action. Action requires forward movement—something being accomplished toward an end goal.

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Barriers to Being Action Oriented

There are plenty of things that get in the way of being action oriented—personal qualities and habits, schedules, and more. Here are the common walls that need breaking through on the way to being more action oriented in your day-to-day life, work, or education:

• Analysis paralysis
• Confusion about the task at hand
• Lack of confidence in the ability to do the task
• Lack of motivation to start or complete the task
• Perfectionism
• Preferring the ease and/or comfort of procrastination

There can be too much of a good thing when it comes to being action oriented, though. Overdoing it can make your work ethic veer hard into the other direction, signs of which include:

• Acting without strategy or analysis
• Ignoring personal life, personal needs, or personal relationships
• Micromanaging tendencies
• Workaholic tendencies

Practical Steps for Being More Action Oriented

Whether you’re trying to be more action oriented or pull yourself back into a healthy approach to getting things done, here are some practical places to look at how you organize and attack tasks in your life:

• Set goals. Know what you want to accomplish, then break down the path to that accomplishment with smaller action items. Consider using the SMART goals framework to get started.
• Set (and keep) schedules. Goals are great, but they need to be set against a schedule—otherwise working toward them can stretch on indefinitely.
• Limit planning to prevent inaction. Not only do you need to set a schedule for reaching goals (and milestones along the way), but it’s also helpful to limit how much time you spend planning out your goals (and the paths to reaching them) or you’ll find yourself in the business of planning rather than being action oriented.
• Go step by step. Armed with your steps toward your goal, go ahead and get going—start at the beginning, then do the next step, then the next. Focus on one milestone at a time. Make yourself a list of what you need to do for each day of the week.
• Keep yourself accountable. Whether your goal is personal or you’re working with others, lying about progress won’t do anyone any good. If the schedule you set isn’t working, revise.
• Treat yourself. As you complete each step of a goal, take the time to reward yourself. Whether it’s a break to watch something, playing a game, or indulging in a new book, staying action oriented also requires keeping yourself from burning out.