Action Without Direction Is Better Than No Action

Take this post as an example.

I haven't had a sudden moment of inspiration to write something, I am just writing. In line with my commitment to write something every day, I know that taking action and writing something - writing anything at all - is more productive and useful than sitting back and waiting for an idea or direction.

Of course, direction is important to make sure you're going the right way, but more often than not it is better to do something than to wait for that direction. Even if your action means you're taking things forward in slightly the wrong way, at least you are taking things forwards, and if you need to adjust your direction in the future at least you're not starting from scratch and have done some good.

At work, this can sometimes manifest itself in a belief that you need someone's permission to do something that you know is right and will help, but are concerned others will not understand or support you. Many times I've heard great ideas that never went anywhere because the person with the idea was waiting for some permission or other that in reality they didn't need. Whilst at work you do sometimes need to be careful due to the political environment in which you work, often it is better to act and ask permission than ask permission and risk never taking action.

Not sure what you should be doing? Try doing something - doing anything - just to get something done - and you'll probably find that you will find your way, and if not at least you can say you've done something...