An action is an act that one consciously wills and that may be characterized by physical or mental activity.  You may be called to action in a physical or a mental sense.  A martial art is one example of both. It challenges you physically and mentally. Being kind is a call to action. Volunteering is one, too. Learning a new skill, practicing an old one, or doing something completely different fits the bill, also. At different phases of life you are called to different actions.  Finding a spouse, identifying a career, having children, and deciding to retire might be part of a life plan or call to action. Within those big steps are smaller steps, each with a smaller call to action built-in. Financial stability might be the precursor to having children. Finding a job might be preliminary to getting married. Maybe your call to action requires very little effort, and you jump right in.

You will not always realize that your baby steps are adding up.  Did I know that learning a martial art would lead me to be an instructor one day, or a  motivational speaker, or published author?  I had no idea.  I felt a calling, so that is what I did, and this is where I landed.

What steps are you in the midst of taking that may lead you to unexpected and invigorating milestones?  What have you been doing recently, and how does it fall into place in your life?  What do you want to do that you have never done?  Now is as good a time as any to figure that out. Even when you feel like you have no purpose, you do. It is gurgling right below the surface.

Where you are headed?  You know, all those plans and ideas that have formed in the back of your mind all the years of your life, what will you do with them?  They are waiting for a call to action. You don’t have to wait for the full picture to form.  You can create one chapter, even one page, at a time.  The ending does not have to be determined when you start.  At times you will not be able to decipher the meaning of the action along the way, but later it will all fall into place.  It is like looking for a new job when you already have a good one.  There is no rush, and you can even go out on a limb and seek something completely new.  If you find the perfect fit, that’s nice. If you don’t, then at the least you’ve updated yourself, your values, and your skills in the process. Travel in the direction that feels right.  If, during your adventure you realize you are going in the wrong direction, no harm done. Take a chance here and there.  Take a risk.  Shake it up. Try it out.

Your call to action may take a few attempts.You will recognize that it is working when you can build upon it.  If you are sitting on the couch, but wishing in the back of your mind that you were doing something more productive, then that is your call to action.  You can start with small steps, like joining a gym or setting a schedule to walk a few times per week.  When the action plan is in place, you are likely to pursue it.  If you want to learn how to play a sport, make some calls and find a league.  Take the small steps until you are ready for bigger ones.

The few spare moments in the midst of your busy life are your opportunity to break free and start your journey.  Sure, you can live the same way and do the same things day after day, but if you find yourself bored with your life, or feeling like there is something missing, then you are being called to more.  I bet that describes a lot of you.  Busy, but bored.  Productive, but bored.  Happy, but bored. Why?  Because your call to action is covered in dust.

I can’t describe for you specifically what you are called to do, but you will know it when you feel it.  A little tug.  A little dusting.  For me, they are words.  They present themselves whether I want them to or not. Martial arts are another call to action for me. They are as purposeful and integrated into my life as brushing my hair in the morning, or driving to work.  Another call to action I have is a desire to help others live a better, happier, more rewarding life.  These are things I pursue because I am called to follow those directions.  They are the actions that give me my sense of purpose.

Part of my call to action is to call you to action. If I see a talent or ability rise to the surface in a person, I will make a recommendation.  A handful of people have started blogging because when I read their comments on my posts, I let them know that they had something beautiful, touching, or valuable to offer from which I knew other people could benefit.  When I see a student who is extra flexible, great at sparring, or excellent at forms, I tell him what I think. Encouraging others help them to discern their call to action.  All you need to do is listen to that little voice that occasionally speaks to you about what you should do, and use that as your guide.

How can you prepare to take action?  First you must prioritize.  You can’t make dreams come true by standing still.  There is some life re-organization that needs to take place.  Think about a cluttered room in a house.  The furniture fits, but there’s no room for people.  Things don’t match. The claustrophobic feeling overwhelms you the minute you walk in the room.  Life can be this way.  If you have too much clutter in your life, it is nearly impossible to organize your thoughts, or outline the things you want to do or the actions you hope to take.

The dojang is wide open.  The floor might be padded and there may be a few bags here and there. Overall, it is a space just waiting to be filled with the hopes and dreams of students. There is no clutter on the floor and nothing in the way of you finding your true inner self while practicing a martial art. There, you can focus and challenge yourself and excel. A personal call to action works best when it is openly engaged, when your mind is open to learning and experiencing a new perspective.

When I’m punching a bag I sometimes hear a message.  The message comes in a small voice that echos “get stronger” or “stop being frustrated” or “you can do this.” It is the very slight heartbeat of a thought telling me that I’m on the right track.  De-clutter.  Organize.  Get your thoughts in order, focus your goals, and highlight your ambitions so when the time is right, when you feel the call to action, you can begin.

Every time I write a blog post I am refreshed and excited to write the words and I look forward to making an impact in someone’s life.  That is how you know you are following the right calling. That is when the action starts to make sense.  That is when you become excited about life again.

Don’t worry too much if you never thought much about your call to action.  Everyone is guilty of pushing it aside because, at times, your call to action may be really difficult.  It may be standing up for someone else, facing a fear, or bringing back memories that you’ve stored away for a reason.  In the end, your call to action should be positive and worthwhile, even if it started out as a discomfort.

Determine your call to action, chase it, believe it in, and one day it will fully reveal its true meaning. Just remember, there is no success without action.

Andrea

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My new book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available. Purchase through my e-commerce store: http://themartialartswoman.storenvy.com/ or on Amazon!

The Martial Arts Woman shares the stories and insights of more than twenty-five women in the martial arts, and how they apply martial arts to their lives. Unlike most other martial art books, the reader will catch a glimpse into the brave and empowered woman who dares to be all that she can be. Many of these women had to overcome great societal or personal challenges to break into the men’s world of martial arts. This book will motivate and inspire you to go after your goals in life and to fight through every challenge and defeat every obstacle. The Martial Arts Woman will open your eyes to the power of the human spirit and the martial art mindset that dwells in each of us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Andrea F. Harkins is a  writer, motivator, life coach, martial artist, and public speaker. Her book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available at themartialartswoman.storenvy.com or on Amazon!

Andrea is Internationally known for her positivity through martial arts efforts and outreach, and her writing. She is currently a columnist for Martial Arts Illustrated UK, The Martial Arts Guardian (UK), the World Martial Arts Magazine, MASUCCESS, Conflict Manager, Martial Arts Business (Australia), The Parrish Village News, and her blog, The Martial Arts Woman.  Contact her through this website’s CONTACT ME page for information on public speaking, autographs, and life coaching.