停止空谈 | 开始行动！

标签： | 发表时间：2011-11-06 21:28 | 作者：花の雪 [email protected]

出处：http://www.yeeyan.org

译者花の雪

6 Keys to Develop the Action Habit

“停止空谈，开始行动”的六个关键

photo by jibbo

撰文：Jonathan

翻译: Shayne Yeats

译者寄语：成功不是偶尔的最佳表现，而是一贯的最佳表现。

“An idea can be profound, but it is useless unless used”

“一个想法可以是很深刻的，但它依旧会是没有价值的，除非它被人所使用。”

-Richard Bach, Author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull

------理查德贝奇，《海鸥乔纳森》一书作者

We all know of course that results are the cause of action. But how do you develop the habit of taking action? In order for us to successfully implement the habit of taking action, we have to learn how to use our imagination and independent will to overcome our conditioning.

我们都知道结果的起因是行动。但是我们该如何去养成“开始行动”的习惯呢？为了让我们成功地贯彻采取行动的习惯，我们要学会如何运用自己的想象力和自由意志去克服我们心理作用。

We have a unique endowment as humans, we are responsible. When we take a closer look at the word responsibility we find its roots come from the two words; response and ability. We have the ability to respond, or the ability to take action.

作为人类，我们有一个得天独厚的优点，那就是责任心。假如我们仔细地考量下responsibility（责任心）这个词的话，我们会发现它的词根是由两个词组成：response（反应）和ability（能力）。我们有能力去做出回应，我们也有能力采取行动。

When we make the decision of becoming response-able, we accept that our lives are the product of our choices. The choice to take action, or not will ultimately determine your results. If you want results in life, you must master the habit of taking consistent action.

当我们决定要开始负起责任心时，就意味着我们已接受了“生活就是我们所做出的决定的结果”这个事实。是否采取行动最终会决定你的人生的方方面面。假如你想要生活得有意义，那么你必需得要掌握采取相一致性的行动的能力。

1. Your environment is a product of you

1.你的处境是你一手创造的结果

The reason most people don’t take action is because they think they are a product of their environment. This is a classic case of determinism and a distorted view of reality.

许多人没有采取行动的原因是因为他们认为他们的一切都是拜他们所处的环境所赐。这是一个典型的对现实的曲解。

This thinking gets us nowhere as it leaves our fate beyond our control. If our circumstances are beyond our control, naturally, we’ll lack motivation to take action. What’s the point when we’re a product of our environment?

这样的思维方式会让我们一事无成，因为它让人相信自己无法掌控自己的命运。假如我们的处境超出了我们的掌控范围，那么我们会自然而然地丧失采取行动做出改变的动机。当我们被环境所主宰时，问题的关键在哪呢？

Here’s what this type of thinking look likes:

下面就非常形象地描述了这种思维方式：

As you can see, this is a linear thinking process.

如你所见，这是一种线性的思维方式。

Here’s what is actually happening in reality:

而在现实生活中，实际情况如上图。

You might ask “Jonathan, why did you make the arrows rainbow colored?” Good question. I think diagrams are boring in general, which is why I hesitated to use them. However I think for this purpose, it’s good to be able to see the difference. The rainbow colors are just for added effect. If you really need a meaning though, perhaps it’s because life is much more colorful when you see things clearly. =)

你也许想问“Jonathan，为什么你要用彩色的箭头呢？”这个问题问得好。总的来说，我觉得图标有点无聊，这正是我不愿去使用它们的原因。然而，这样做的好处可以让你看到不同之处。彩虹色的箭头仅仅是为了增强效果而已。假如你真的想要问个究竟的话，我想它代表的可能就是当你看到事物的本质时，你就会发现生活原来是如此的丰富多彩。

When we can see that this is a continuous cycle, we realize that our environment is a product of us. If our environment is a product of us, well jeez, that means we have to take responsibility for it, don’t we? If you want to give up that responsibility, fine, live a determined life. But at least make that decision consciously.

当我们看到了这个持续循环的圆圈，我们就能够意识到环境其实是由我们一手创造的。假如外部环境是由我们所创造的，这就意味着我们要担起责任心来，不是吗？假如你想要放弃这个责任，好吧，那你一定要过一种决绝坚定的生活。至少，你应该是有意识地做出这样的决定的。

2. Follow your passion

2.紧跟激情的脚步

This may seem like a no-brainer, but most people go for exactly the opposite. They go for security, safety and comfort. They spend more time acquiring outer resources, then developing inner ones.

这听上去是个很简单的事，但是大部分人所做的却恰恰相反。他们所追随的是一种安全、稳妥和舒适的生活。他们花费更多的时间去获取外部的资源，然后再去提升内在的品质。

If you’re going to develop the habit of taking action, you need to be motivated.

假如你想要养成雷厉风行的习惯的话，你需要被激励去那样做。

If you’re doing what you love to do every day, you’re likely to take consistent and massive action.

假如你每天所做的是你所热爱的事的话，你就会持续不断地采取大量的行动。

If you’re working in a job you hate, slaving yourself away in a cubicle, you’re less likely to take action. You’re just going to do the bare minimum to get by.

假如你所做的是一件使你囚禁在小房间并且被你憎恨的工作的话，你采取行动的可能性就会小得多。你只是做了最少的事来敷衍了事。

To develop the habit of action, we need to make goals that inspire us. When we’re inspired, we’ll be motivated and the natural result is that we’ll take lots and lots of action.

想要养成雷厉风行的习惯，我们需要设定一些能够激励我们的目标。当我们被激励的时候，我们就会有动机，然后我们就会自然而然地采取一系列行动。

Find a way to start doing what you love, even if you have to start small. You’re more likely to develop your talents in something you love, rather than something that gives you a false sense of security. If you feel like you don’t have enough time, consider making time for the important. If we don’t make time for the things that really matter to us, when will we? Who wants to go from the cubicle to the casket?

开始去做你所热爱的事，即使那件事是不值得一提的你也要去尝试。与其去做给你安全感的事，你更应该去开发做你所热爱之事的潜能。假如你觉得你没有足够的时间去做你热爱的事，那就设法腾出时间来去做重要的事吧。假如我们不为对自己来说是重要的事腾出时间去行动的话，何时我们才会去那样做？有谁想要这辈子就这样从囚禁自己的小房间走向棺材呢？

3. Focus on the results you want, not on the means by which you’ll achieve them

3.专注于你想要的结果，而不是实现目标的方法。

When we’re constantly trying to figure out how we’ll get things done, we’re stuck in the mode of planning. Move your focus to what you want, instead of how you’re going to get it.

当我们没完没了地纠结于如何才能完成任务时，我们就陷入了制定计划的陷阱中。把你的注意力转移到你想要的东西上，而不是你如何才能得到它。

Start taking action toward your goals and stop trying to plan everything out perfectly in advance.

为你的目标开始采取行动，而不要想着事先就制定出万无一失的计划来。

Don’t be afraid to make up how you’ll get there as you go along. Use the Ready Fire Aim aproach, instead of Ready Aim Aim Aim Aim Fire. Correct your course as you go along instead of trying to find the perfect course. Often the perfect conditions never come and 5 (or 50) years later you realize you’re in the same place you’ve always been.

一路上走来你会犯些过错，不要怕，做出调整就可以了。使用“做好准备---瞄准---射击”的策略而不是“做好准备---瞄准---瞄准---瞄准---瞄准---射击”的策略。与其去寻找最完美的方法还不如时刻不停地调整你的计划。通常，完美的情况永远都不会到来，而且五年（或五十年）后你会发现你一直以来都呆在原地踏步。

Don’t let anyone get in your way, most importantly, don’t let yourself get in the way. If your mind has doubts about your ability, silence it. Take a rain check on your opinion.

不要让别人妨碍你，最重要的，千万不要让你自己成为自己的障碍。假如你怀疑你的能力的话，抛弃这种想法。下一次发生同样的情况时，也这样做。

4. Inspiration and great ideas are the result of action

4.灵感和好想法来自行动

Don’t wait for inspiration and great ideas to happen to you. Most people think that a great mind precedes great action.

不要干等着灵感和好想法的出现。大多数人都认为伟大的想法来源于伟大的行动。

It’s easy to see why people think this way when we refer to the world’s most influential people as “great thinkers” or “great minds.”

当我们把世界上最具影响力的人称为“伟大的思想家”或“伟大的头脑”时，我们就可以很容易地看成人们为什么会这样想。

What we don’t realize is the reason they were great thinkers is they didn’t wait for inspiration to come to them, they came to the inspiration. They took action and may have failed repeatedly, but the difference is that they didn’t wait around for a great idea to just pop into their heads. They actively sought out inspiration, instead of just passively waiting for it to happen. They were not simply “great thinkers” they were “great doers.”

我们所没有意识到的东西正是那些能让这些人成为伟大的思想家的原因，他们不会去等待灵感的出现，实际上是他们创造了灵感。他们会采取行动，虽然会经历许多次的失败，但是其中的区别就是他们不会等待着灵感跑进他们的头脑。他们积极地去寻求灵感，而不是坐以待毙等待着奇迹发生。他们不是单纯的“伟大的思想家”而是不简单的“行动家”。

Not only did they actively seek out ideas and creative genius, but they failed many times before reaching their own level of greatness. Fear of failure didn’t paralyze them. Instead they realized with each failure, they were that much closer to success.

他们不仅在积极地寻求想法和创造伟业，在他们成功之前他们还经历了许多次的失败。对失败的恐惧感不会让他们停止向前。相反，他们把每一次失败都看成是离成功又近了一步。

5. Practice makes the master

5.熟能生巧

It takes time to develop the habit of taking action. Especially when you’ve spent years doing exactly the opposite. Start small and don’t let your fear of failure or self-doubt stop you from taking action. Sometimes, if we don’t have anything nice to say to ourselves, it’s better that we remain silent. We readily apply this principle with other people all the time, but how often do we talk negatively to ourselves on a daily basis?

要养成雷厉风行的习惯是需要一点时间的。尤其是当你在过去几年中，你所做的恰与此相反的话，你就需要更多的时间。从小事开始做，并且不要让对失败的恐惧和自我怀疑阻止你去采取行动。有时，假如我们没有什么鼓舞人心的话讲给自己听的话，我们最好保持沉默。和别人相处时我们总会运用这个原则，但是我们每天又会多频繁地给自己灌输负面想法呢？

The best way to overcome fear and self-doubt is to take action. Action crushes fear, because it demystifies it. Often we realize we weren’t afraid of anything other than simply not knowing. Release yourself from your need to know, and trust that you’ll find the answers as you go along.

克服恐惧和自我怀疑的最好方法就是采取行动。行动可以粉碎恐惧，因为它让恐惧现出原形。大多数情况下我们恐惧的是我们所不知道的事。放松你自己，不要纠结于定要知道结果，你要相信你自己可以一步步慢慢找到答案。

Remember, you can always change course. You can always change your aim, but if you haven’t fired yet, what’s the point of aiming?

记住，你一直都可以改变行动方式。而且，你也可以改变目标，但是假如你没有付诸行动的话，做计划有什么用？

6. Don’t think, what do I have? Think, what do I want?

6.不要去想“我拥有什么？”你应该思考“我想要得到的是什么？”

Are you waiting until all the conditions are right in order for you to take action? Perhaps you think, “if only I had enough time”, “if only I had the money”, “if only I had the resources”, “if only I knew the right people.”

你是否在等待情况好转，然后再去采取行动？也许你会这样想，“要是我有足够的时间”，“要是我有足够的钱”，“要是我有资源”，“要是我认识贵人。”

You’re not the only one who’s thought this way. I used to think that I could accomplish my goals “if only I had this.”

你不是唯一一个这样思考的人。我过去还常常想“要是我有这些”，我就可以实现我的目标了。

If only I was born with better rhythm I could become a good drummer.

要是我生来就有音乐细胞，我就会成为一个更棒的鼓手。

If only I was born with a better voice I could write better songs.

要是我天生就有一副好嗓音，我就会成为更棒的歌手。

If only I had a better memory I might be a better web developer.

要是我有更好的记忆力，我就会成为更棒的网站开发设计师。

If only I was more romantic I could have a better relationship.

要是我变得更浪漫的话，我就会有一段更棒的感情。

Do you know where all this thinking got me? Absolutely nowhere.

你知道这样的想法给我带来了什么吗？什么也没有。

Fortunately I managed to overcome my focus on what I didn’t have and started focusing on what I could do.

不过，我还是顺利地将注意力从我不曾拥有的东西转移到我应该去做的事情上。

Stop focusing on what you have and start focusing on what you want. Doors will start to open for you where before there were only walls. And hey, if there’s no door, there’s always a sledge hammer. =P

不要把注意力停留你所拥有的事情上，你应该专注于那些你想拥有的东西上。这样机会之门就会在先前是一堵高墙之处向你敞开。如果，这样的门没有出现的话，你大可以用八角锤去敲个洞，然后继续前进。

Implementing the action habit:

执行“开始行动”的习惯：

Start taking action even if you don’t have a clear idea of what needs to be done. Start moving towards you goal. Make corrections later.

O 即使你还未有一个清晰的行动计划，你都要先开始做起来。开始向你的目标进发。然后再做出调整。

Make a commitment. Sometimes the easiest way to take action is to make commitment. Tell your friends and family about it, so you have their support. A commitment helps you stay accountable.

O 许下一个承诺。有时开始行动的最简单的方式就是许下一个承诺。向你的朋友和家人做出承诺，这样你就会得到他们的支持。一个承诺有助于你时刻保持责任心。

Enjoy the process of discovery. Trying to plan everything before you start will often paralyze you from taking action. It’s fine to a vision, and actually essentially to success, but don’t let your need to know every detail stop you from taking action.

O 享受整个探索的过程。尝试事先就做好所有计划会让你行动受挫。只需有一个愿景就够了，这样就可以基本保证你走向成功，不过不要让任何一种阻扰你去行动的事情主宰你的思想。

Focus on your strengths, not your limitations. Not everyone will have the same approach to solving a particular problem. Use your unique talents to your advantage.

O 专注于你的特长，要扬长避短。每个人解决问题的方法都是不相同的。运用你特有的天赋去取得进步。

Use your imagination to create to build up your emotional desire. Whatever your goal is, just visualize in your mind for a moment what it would feel like to accomplish your goal. What would it feel like emotionally to know that you completed it? Often this process of creating an emotional build-up will be enough to make us start itching to take action.

O 运用你的想象力去加强你的渴望之心。不论你的目标是什么，在你的脑中想象下当你实现了这个目标时会是合作情况。当你最终实现了目标，你会有何种感受？通常，这样的练习就足以让我们坚持不懈地去实现目标。

Let Flickr inspire you. Find a thought related to your goal and do a search for it on flickr. For example, if you want to create a better relationship with your parter, you could do a search for “embrace” or “lovers.” Take a moment to meditate on the image and how it relates to your intentions and desire, let it swirl around in your head a little bit. Often images have a powerful effect of getting us to really feel our goals emotionally. The more emotion you have behind your goal, the greater chance that you will take action.

O 让Flickr 鼓舞你。找到一个与你的目标相关的想法并在Flickr上去搜索它。例如，假如你想要和你的爱人拥有一段更亲密的感情，你就可以在Flickr上面搜索“embrace”（拥抱）或“lovers”（爱人）。花点时间去冥想你的愿景，感受它与你的意图和渴望之间的联系，尽情地去想象吧。图像通常会有很强的力量，它会让我们真真切切地感受到我们的目标。你对自己的目标投入的情感越多，你就会有更大的可能性去采取行动。