Success Is An Action - A Minute of Vision for Men

Success Is an Action

Personal-development expert Darren Hardy says, “Action is the great separator.” I’ve had a million good ideas, but they are just that—ideas. Until you put it on paper, map it out, and commit to a plan of action, you just have an idea. Once you get it on paper, you then have to execute it. Until you take action, you are no different from the next person who is excited about some idea.

People who are successful are willing to take action. But they don’t just take any action—they take the right action.

While getting my doctorate, I learned the importance of taking the right action. Before I could write my doctoral thesis, I had to write a prospectus. This thirty-five-page paper was a road map of the action I was going to take to fulfill my “idea” that would contribute to the academic community. Fortunately, I had good advisers who assisted me and helped me know what needed to be included and what needed to be left out. After I got through this phase, I was allowed to continue writing my thesis. I’ll never forget finishing my oral defense of my thesis before three professors and hearing them say, “Congratulations, Dr. Patterson.”

Few characters in Scripture are as bold as Peter. Look at his boldness when he takes action to walk on water. Matthew 14:28-29 states, “Peter called to him, ‘Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.’ ‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”

With the Lord’s permission, Peter experienced something no one else has. As John Ortberg says, “If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.” Action truly is the great separator.

Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29