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Sometimes Taking Action Means Being Still

By Guest Blogger, Terry Kohl

With this month’s topic, Taking Action rolling around in my head looking for a “hook,” I was reminded of a quote; “We are human beings, not human doings.”

I don’t know about you but many would describe me as a take action kind of gal. As the owner of a Public Relations firm, I’d quickly be out of work if “action” took a back seat. But in reviewing the past year of my life—a year of profound change for me—I realized that in many cases, I chose being still as my action.

To clarify, my definition of taking action used to imply that if I believed in something, I acted on it. I would take a look at all the possibilities in front of me and choose those that propelled me forward towards my intended goal. Those possibilities did not include doing nothing as an action.

Example: Nearly 2 years ago, the “old me” contacted the editor of a major publication with the intention of having them review my book, Lost Your Job? Now What! With over 8 million subscribers, I was thrilled that they were open to the idea. Following their suggestion I sent them a copy of my book. Time passed. I made several follow up calls and sent a few e-mail over a 1-year period, all to no avail. Finally, I connected with the editor who said that my book was still in a pile on his office floor and that these things often take awhile. He was still very interested and asked me to keep “bugging” him.

Well, the new me had emerged by this time, the me that didn’t always take action by doing something and certainly not by “bugging” people. I decided that if reviewing my book was in my highest good, so be it. I would no longer be “in charge” of trying to make it happen.

The new me also initiated the practice of inviting miracles and possibilities into each day. You can read about that practice at The Powerful Act of Inviting. On the very first day of that powerful invitation the editor of the above publication called. He offered me the opportunity to become a guest contributor for an upcoming issue.

In deciding not to take action by my normal methods, (continued calling and e-mailing, and I admit, obsessing over the idea) I was offered an even better opportunity. Being able to promote my own books ideas was a far better position to be in than having someone else review the book.

There are times when taking action is the proper procedure for me but blessedly, I have come to discern that at other times being a human being, not a human doing is in my best interest.

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Successful author and coach, Terry Kohl is our guest blogger for the next few months.   You can reach her at either www.LostYourJobNowWhat.com or www.TerryKohl.com.

Thank you Terry and Happy Passioneering!
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