” Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one truth that ignorance of kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” Goethe

I present that quote of Goethe because it illustrates exactly the requirement that once you have imagined the things you want in life, it makes sense to just begin. To just step out and start a path. The path does not have to always be clear because you will make adjustments, and people and circumstances will come your way that you never could have anticipated, all because you took that first step.

Our lives are shaped by our decisions (and make no mistake, deciding not to decide is a decision). And so in order to shape our lives we have to begin to shape our decisions: go left, go right, backup, go forward, or stand still, are all part of where do I hope to go with this decision? But, deciding is not enough. You would be amazed at the number of people who make a decision and then never follow up on the thought. But, just the act of taking a step (even a small step) puts the universe in action and opportunities we could never have imagined come your way. We allow destiny or Providence to have a hand in our lives simply by the act of taking that step.

I know it sounds strange but it does happen. For example, I had been been imagining myself giving speaking tours and just started giving free speaking engagements to whoever would allow me. One day a participant at one of these sessions asked me to lunch and mentioned that she had been contacted by a speakers bureau to do a number of speaking assignments but was not interested. She suggested that I contact them and use her name. I followed up on her suggestion and in no time had a national contract with a major company. Action causes things to happen!

Making decisions and putting vision to what we want (notice I did not say what we don’t want because that becomes our focus, a point I will emphasis again and again) is the first important point. The second major point is to take action, the more immediate the better! You will be amazed at what will follow. And third, don’t be afraid of what can follow. Whatever happens we will need to make adjustments in order to shape what comes and that is simply a part of being human and living life. We are all works in progress, and only become finished products when we breathe our last breath.