Can You Live With The Consequences of Your Inaction?

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost…” Luke 14:28 NKJV

We either run from pain or towards pleasure. Let me explain…

When you sit and plan your life, writing down changes you want to make, the general goal-setting rule is to plan each step that will lead you towards your goal.

The problem is when there is no strong reason behind that goal, it just remains ink on paper. I’ve realised that another way to ignite motivation behind a new resolution is to determine what life could be like if you didn’t take action on that goal.

For example:

Goal: I want to upgrade myself by studying a new course.

The consequence of Inaction: If I don’t study this new course, I may never be able to increase my income by 50% and this would prevent me from getting married to the love of my life. If this window closes, I could lose her.

Goal: I want to start my own baking business

Consequence of Inaction: I don’t like my current job and if I don’t start this business which I’m passionate about, I’ll be stuck at this job for the rest of my life and stay stressed out. I don’t want to die miserably.

Goal: I need to apply for a higher-paying job.

Consequence of Inaction: If I don’t set time apart to send out job applications, I’ll stay stuck at my current pay grade while my colleagues get richer and live their best lives. I don’t want to end up old and poor like Dad.

I’ve realised that many people prefer to dream about their beautiful future but can’t draw motivation from it. So in their spare time, they relax and just imagine what life could be like. It’s so much easier and more satisfying to do that.

But once they’re able to identify something that could lower their status, repeat a negative background experience or deprive them of something they feel entitled to, the dream suddenly transforms into actionable steps that they take almost immediately. The pain they want to avoid propels them to the pleasure they want to receive.

So perhaps you need to revisit the resolutions and goals you wrote in your journal and just think for a moment about the worst thing that could happen if you failed to pursue those goals. You’ll suddenly be filled with new fire which will make you see, smell and feel your dream.

Transform that negative pain into positive energy and watch how fast you’ll run.