3 Hidden Costs of Inaction

What are these costs and how you can avoid the regret of unmet potential?

As an Action Architect, I write a lot about taking action on your goals. When you chase your goals, you know you know you have to work hard. You’ll need to make sacrifices, make tough choices, and decide what to prioritize.

Ironically, its these very things that keeps people from putting in the hard work on their goals. They are staring at their list of goals, feeling a mix of excitement and concern.

Maybe they’ve been putting off that career change, delaying their fitness journey, or postponing that hobby they’ve always dreamed about. Maybe this is you.

While most people focus on the cost of taking action, very few consider the cost of inaction.

Mike | Action Architect @themikelamb Never be afraid of taking action on your goals. Taking action brings no guarantees, but inaction guarantees you nothing: - No rewards - No growth - No life The real fear? Living passively, drowning in regret. 6:7 AM • May 24, 2024 2 Retweets 12 Likes Read 6 replies

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In this week’s newsletter, we’re diving into the often-overlooked consequences of inaction. The price we pay for procrastination can be steeper than we realize.

Believe me I know.

I have had countless opportunities pass me by over the years due to my fear of taking action.
“What if it doesn’t work out?"
"What if I fail?"
"What if I don’t enjoy it?”

These are fears I have to work through.

Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.”

None of us want to live a life filled with regret. The costs of not taking action on your personal goals can be significant and far-reaching.

Here are 3 huge costs of not taking action:

1. Missed opportunities: By failing to pursue your goals, you miss out on potential growth, fulfillment, and success that could come from achieving them. These missed opportunities have a big impact in your life.
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2. Erosion of self-confidence: Repeatedly failing to act on your goals can undermine your self-confidence and belief in your abilities. This breeds self-doubt and leads to increased stress, anxiety, and even burnout. The emotional toll of unfulfilled aspirations can be significant.
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3. Loss of time: Perhaps the most significant cost is time itself. Time is the only resource you have that you can never get back. Every moment of inaction is a moment lost that could have been used to progress towards your goals.

It’s important to recognize that while taking action towards your goals is challenging, the cost of inaction is often much higher in the long run.

By evaluating both the costs of action and inaction, you can make more informed decisions about pursuing your personal goals.

This mean's you'll also avoid the regret and missed opportunities that come with failing to act.

Your action this week is to confront the inaction in your life.

Here are 3 questions to help you do this:

1. What will happen if I don't make the change or take action on my goals?
2. What's the real reason for my anxiety or hesitation?
3. What little step can I take right now to get started?

These questions promote action. They address the psychological barriers that often lead to inaction and get you started with small steps.

By regularly asking these questions, you can overcome the tendency to procrastinate or avoid taking necessary steps towards achieving your goals.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Action Architect.

We'll see you next Tuesday.

Until then, take action this week to make your future self proud.

-Mike

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