​A decision to act is completely different than a need to react.  While both may result in action, the motivations and long-term results are likely to be very different.

All of the resources and training in the world are for naught until and unless they are put to work.  Leaders study them and selectively apply them toward goals and get a team engaged in the process.  Managers apply what’s been done in the past to the present and are often content with the status quo.  Fortunately, leadership isn’t a position; it’s an attitude and an outlook that anyone can apply to life and work.

Lasting progress and improvement depend upon a decision to act.  What prompts one person to act, while another simply waits and continually reacts to the events of each day, yet both have access to the same resources?  Part of the answer, I believe, lies in having a clear vision for how the positive results of proactive action will look; they see a better outcome down the road, if thoughtful effort is applied now.  Success isn’t one decision to act, however; it’s the result of a series of daily decisions to act and move toward the vision.  Without that vision in mind, it’s easy to fall into the trap of just making it through the day by reacting to whatever comes along.

There’s no doubt that many daily situations cause a need to react; fixing problems, providing routine service, dealing with emergencies and fulfilling a stream of requests will quickly fill up the day.  All that can keep a person quite busy, but really not making progress.  A conscious decision to act, when the circumstances of the moment don’t actually require it, is what sets high achievers apart from the rest.

When you make a decision to act, you’re suddenly in control of achieving the goal.  Enjoy the Journey!!