There's a Brian Tracy quote that says, “One of the marks of successful people is that they're action-oriented. One of the marks of average people is that they're talk-oriented.”

I love this quote because, ultimately, action is what drives success. It is the root of business growth. Taking action it leads to faster results, helps you make faster decisions and allows businesses to evolve. And when challenges inevitably arise, taking action prevents overthinking and encourages solutions.

Unfortunately, taking action can be difficult at times! It takes energy and often courage, and on tough days at work, it can be difficult to take the right steps forward. However, I truly believe that building the acting habit is critical to success.

Here's why I think action is so valuable and how to get into the habit of taking action in the workplace.

Related: Stop planning and take action

Why action matters

Action brings you results faster:

Especially for entrepreneurs, the sooner you figure out what works to grow your business, the sooner you'll see results. It's not always a straight line to success – there is trial and error included. But you won't know what works (or what doesn't!) until you try.

Every time you take action, you're gathering valuable information, and each step brings you closer to understanding what works. The more you act, the sharper your instincts and decisions become.

Plus, even if your first action doesn't work out exactly as you hoped, it often gives you the information you need about it try again and get better results. Just doing *something* sparks new thoughts and ideas, giving you a new perspective to work with.

Timing is everything:

We've all heard Newton's first law: “Objects in motion stay in motion.” Sure, it's a bit of a cliché, but it really rings true in the workplace. Once you start moving, it's much easier to maintain the momentum.

When you are action-oriented, you naturally grow faster and achieve more. You also set yourself apart from colleagues or competitors who may remain in place. Action shows confidence, leadership and initiative – qualities that don't go unnoticed when it comes down to it career advancement.

Look at professional athletes like Kobe Bryant. Kobe wasn't just talented – he was known for working extra hours and paying attention to every detail. It was that work ethic that set him apart and made him extraordinary.

It is the same for us in the workplace. When you take action, you build confidence, learn from your mistakes, and develop new skills, which ultimately leads to more success.

Related: The best time to take action is now

What to do when you feel stuck

All of us stuck from time to time. It's one of the most frustrating feelings, especially when you want to be proactive and move forward. Fortunately, there are ways to get past that “stuck” feeling and get back into action—here are my favorites.

Ask yourself three questions:

When I feel stuck and can't figure out how to move forward, I ask myself three simple questions:

These questions challenge me to think about the situation from different perspectives.

It's easy to get so laser-focused on the problem that you can't see any way forward. By asking these questions, you are by changing your perspective.

Maybe your gut is telling you something you hadn't considered, or your heart is guiding you to a different approach. These simple guidelines can help you get unstuck and take that next step.

Any action is better than no action:

If you're feeling stuck, it's tempting to think you need to make a big move to get out of it. But honestly, any action is better than none. Inaction it's what keeps you stuck.

Start small. Pick the easiest thing on your to-do list and do it. Even the smallest task can give you a sense of accomplishment, and that little boost can give you the momentum you need to tackle bigger things.

It doesn't have to be perfect or groundbreaking – just do something. This first step will help build momentum and before you know it, you'll be making real progress.

Avoid perfectionism:

Perfection it is one of the insidious barriers that prevent us from taking action. We can get caught up in wanting every detail to be perfect, and it keeps us stuck in place. But the truth is that perfection does not exist.

Everyone has a different idea of ​​what “perfect” looks like, so trying to achieve it is a waste of time. If you struggle with perfectionism, remind yourself that “doing is better than perfect.” (I remind myself of this often!) Another trick I use is setting a time limit on tasks, which helps me not spend too much time changing every little detail.

We all fall into the trap of perfectionism from time to time, but the key is to recognize when it is stopping you from moving forward. In most cases, taking action—even if it's not perfect—will get you closer to your goal than waiting for everything to be just right.

Related: 4 ways to send your perfectionism packing

At the end of the day, many people have great ideas and the potential to succeed, but action is what sets winners apart. It's the key to getting results faster, solving problems more efficiently, and unlocking new opportunities in your career.

The next time you feel stuck or unsure, remember that any action is better than none. Whether it's a small task or a big decision, just take the first step and see where it takes you!