"The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change." - Maya AngelouKnowledge fueled by emotion equals action. And action is the ingredient that ensures results. Only action can cause a reaction; to take it one step further, only positive action can cause a positive reaction.

Action… The whole world loves to watch those who make things happen, and it rewards them for causing waves of productive enterprise.

I stress this because today I see many people who are really sold on affirmations. And yet there is a famous saying, “Faith without action serves no useful purpose.” How true!

Now I have nothing against good affirmations when used as a tool to create action. And it’s also true that when repeated, to reinforce a disciplined plan, affirmations can help create wonderful results.

But there is also a very thin line between faith and folly. You see affirmations without action can be the beginning of self-delusion. And for your well-being there is little worse than self-delusion…

The man dreams of wealth and yet walks daily toward certain financial disaster, or the woman who wishes for happiness and yet thinks thoughts and commits acts that lead her toward certain despair, are both victims of the false hope which affirmations without action can manufacture. Why? Because words soothe and, like a narcotic, they can lull us into a state of complacency. Always remember: To make progress you must first get started!

Now the key is to get started today… Whatever the project, start today! Start setting your first goal…today. Start listening to educational CDs…today. Start contacting two prospects a day…today. Start following-up with your prospects…today. Start putting a portion of your bonus check into your new “investment for my fortune” account…today.

Get some momentum going on your new commitment for the good life. See how many activities you can pile on your new commitment to build your better life. Go all out! Break away from the downward pull of gravity. Start your thrusters going. Prove to yourself that the waiting is over and the hoping is past; that faith, and knowledge, and action have now taken charge.

Today is your new day, and it can be the beginning of your new life! With discipline you will be amazed at how much progress you’ll be able to make. Besides what have you got to lose, except the guilt and fear of the past?

Now if you’re really ready to build a better life, here’s my personal challenge to you: See how many things you can start, and continue, today…the first day of your new beginning. Because to make progress you must first get started!

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn – “America’s Foremost Business Philosopher”