One of the most famous Life Training quotations of all time is by Edmund Burk. He said … ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Gen. George S. Patton said…”Don’t fall victim to what I call the ‘ready-aim-aim-aim-aim syndrome.’ You must be willing to fire. He was talking about action! That’s what separates winners from whiners.

I often tell this story to illustrate this concept. There was a little 5-year-old boy who wanted a watch. I mean he really wanted a watch! He asked his dad for a watch. He asked his mom for a watch. And when dad’s and mom’s don’t respond … what is a child to do? Go to grandpa! He asked his grandpa for a watch. He asked his grandma for a watch. He was driving everyone crazy!

So finally … on his 6th birthday … his dad got him a watch. It was just a toy. A little Mickey Mouse play watch made of plastic. That night, before they went to bed, they got out a book about clocks and watches. It had pictures and stories about big Ben. It talked about time zones. It went on and on about alarm clocks. It even taught you how to tell time. When they finished, the young boy’s head was spinning! He asked his dad what time they needed to get up for church. His dad said 7:30.

He lay there and thought about it for a while. He reached under the pillow and grabbed his watch. He was so confused! He put Mickey’s little hand on the seven and his big hand on the six just like he had learned. Somehow in all of his confusion he thought Mickey would now wake him at 7:30! He soon fell off to sleep dreaming of watches and clocks.

Several hours later he woke up with a startled look … and grabbed his watch. He was so sleepy, but, he saw the watch said 7:30 … so he ran down the hall jumped into bed with his dad … shook him real hard and screamed … “Dad, Dad, get up it’s time for church!”

So the dad jumped up ran to the bathroom, wet his face and began to shave, and then, he looked out the window. It was pitch black outside. He went and looked at his clock. It was 4:00 in the morning. He looked at the clock and then at the boy … and then at the clock… and then at the boy. He motioned … come here son. The boy explained, so sincerely, that Mickey said it was time to go, the dad didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

He sat the boy on his lap … opened the watch … and showed him there was nothing inside to make it work … it was just a face. It was just a toy. That settled everything … they hugged and went back to bed.

The next day, after church they were riding home. The little boy asked … “Dad … did you tell that preacher about my watch?” His dad was confused and said “No … why would I?’ He said … “You must have, Dad … he talked about it all morning.” His dad replied…”What are you talking about?” “Dad … the verse he read was exactly what you told me last night.. That “face without works is dead!” Of course we know the verse was “Faith without works is dead” but it’s the same thing. Something inside has got to make it work. And … something inside of you has got to make you work. Action starts inside of you but it only counts if you actually get up and do something with it! Get up … and get in on the action! Life Training through a child!

When it is time for action, the winners get up, get involved and go to work.
There comes a time when you have to leave your comfort zone and take a risk. The pre-game has to end and the real game has to start. Talking a good game only works for a while. Sooner or later you’ve gotta strap it on and hit the field. The biggest risk of all is to do nothing!
Talking the talk without walking the walk is hypocrisy. Your actions always speak much louder than your words.

I’ve heard people say … “my get up and go has got up and gone!” I say to that … just get up … and go! Take one small step in the right direction … and then another … and then another! It’s been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Just get up and start!

Because I own a video production company I love to watch infomercials on TV. Some of them are real good … and some of them are SOOOO bad. The goods ones always create a sense of urgency. They say things like … “ you’d better hurry, this offer ends soon.” or … “If you call within the next ten minutes.” They are prompting you to take action. Life Training from an infomercial!

When I produce a video for a company, I usually … depending on the goal of the project …use what is called “a Call to Action” at the end. I ask the client… what is it that you want people to do after watching this? Sometimes I get a blank stare. Why show them a video if you don’t want some sort of a response? What action do you want them to take? Do you want them to go to a web site? Do you want them to call an 800 number for more information? Do you want them to take the video next door and show a neighbor? What ACTION do you want them to take? You have to issue a “clarion call.” You have to tell people what you want them to do. It is a Call to Action!

So, the reason for this session is I’m issuing a Call to Action. Grab the bugle and sound Charge!

It’s time to fish or cut bait. Are you a player … or pretender? Are you open to Life Training?

It takes intestinal fortitude to take action when you are starting something new. But never, be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

Whatever it is that you choose to do will require courage. Whatever you finally decide upon, there is always going to be someone standing around to tell you that you are wrong. The infamous “they” always know what’s best … for everyone but themselves! And when you do face a challenge, which you will … you’ll be tempted to believe that your critics were right.

It takes courage to map out a course of action and follow it to the end. Powerful leaders take action because they have had Life Training!

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