From the seeds of success ezine.

Are You Busy But Not Accomplishing Anything?

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Don’t confuse motion with action.” If you are frantically busy but not getting any closer to your goals, try these tips from the experts.

Use the rule of five, says Jack Canfield, co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soulseries. Everyone has a breakthrough goal—a goal that you have always wanted to reach or one that could change your life. List five actions you could take today on your breakthrough goal and then do them. Repeat the same steps every day until you break through.

Get up one hour earlier than the rest of your household. Gain clarity on your priorities and start your day empowered. “Use the time as an inspirational hour—reconnect with you mission, core values and review your goals,” says Robin Sharma, motivational expert and author of The Leader Who Had No Title. “This will build deep focus against distractions as you move through your day.” Or spend your hour meditating, visualizing achieving what’s most important to you, writing in a journal, listening to music, reciting affirmations or exercising.

Confront fear. Andy Andrews, best-selling author of The Traveler’s Gift, says people need to identify where fear has hindered their progress. “List five ways fear held you back and for each write down the actions you are committed to taking on a consistent basis to make your fears irrelevant.”

Push through major snags. Lots of people get stuck or procrastinate when they don’t know how to do the next step on a goal, but there’s always a solution. Talk to someone who has done it before, brainstorm with other people or ask for help. Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims, authors of Organizing Your Day, suggest taking a break, changing your scenery or taking a walk.