Are You A Person of Action? by Diana

In the continuing Book review of The Travelers Gift, 7 Decisions That Determine Personal Success written by Andy Andrews, we find our traveler, David arriving at a Gettysburg battlefield in the midst of the Civil War. This chapter provides us with another step toward success. Union Army Colonel Chamberlain of the 20^th Maine is orchestrating a drive against the Rebs. Caught between a rock and a hard place, with retreat not an option, men on both sides dying all around him, he has to do something. Doing nothing would result in more deaths. He chose to act, ordering his troops to charge at his exact timed command. Because Chamberlain was a man of action, and he chose to act instead of retreat, his drive succeeded in ending the war. A school teacher that joined up because he believed it ‘was the right thing to do’ became the key element in a battle that had raged on too long.

As writers, editors and agents in the publishing industry we are looking at a New Year with new opportunities to act and resolve, to do something about our goals and move toward our dreams. Doing nothing is not an option. We must take our future into our hands, forget the failures of our past, the rejections from agents and editors, the missed sales and become a person of action. Wishing will not get our book completed, sold or published.

In one of my favorite movies, ‘What About Bob’, Paul Newman plays the role of a psychologist who goes on vacation. His patient, Bob, played by Bill Murray has attachment issues and sneaks along on the family vacation, since he is unable to function without his Dr. Throughout the movie the Dr. tries to get rid of Bob through a series of events that grow more violent. Bob finds himself feeling better and better as the Dr. makes ridiculous attempts on Bob’s life. In each of the freeing circumstances Bob is forced to act. He is forced to take control of his life and actions. Consequently he becomes well. He writes a bestselling book titled, Baby Steps, in which he shares the various ways he baby-stepped his way to health and well being.

As our traveler David witnessed at Gettysburg, a school teacher act in a successful way that is now recorded in History, and Bob in our movie reference resolved his unhealthy behaviors, the key to both of their success’s was taking control of the situation. They took action.

Resolve this year to take action. Baby-step your way toward your list of goals. Even a small step can move you to a new place. Sign up for that Writers Conference, begin or join a writers group, submit that manuscript to an agent. Take an online writers course. Do something. A person of action does not make excuses. Remember, The Buck Stops Here, Seek Wisdom and Become a Person of Action.

This is your year to succeed in your goals.

From my Heart to yours with prayers for your success,

Diana