We all know of course that results are the cause of action. But how do you develop the habit of taking action? In order for us to successfully implement¹ the habit of taking action, we have to learn how to use our imagination and independent will to overcome our conditioning.

我们都知道结果的起因是行动。但是我们该如何去养成“开始行动”的习惯呢？为了让我们成功地贯彻采取行动的习惯，我们要学会如何运用自己的想象力和自由意志去克服我们心理作用。

We have a unique endowment as humans, we are responsible. When we take a closer look at the word responsibility we find its roots come from the two words; response and ability. We have the ability to respond, or the ability to take action.

作为人类，我们有一个得天独厚的优点，那就是责任心。假如我们仔细地考量下responsibility（责任心）这个词的话，我们会发现它的词根是由两个词组成：response（反应）和ability（能力）。我们有能力去做出回应，我们也有能力采取行动。

When we make the decision of becoming response-able, we accept that our lives are the product of our choices. The choice to take action, or not will ultimately determine your results. If you want results in life, you must master the habit of taking consistent action.

当我们决定要开始负起责任心时，就意味着我们已接受了“生活就是我们所做出的决定的结果”这个事实。是否采取行动最终会决定你的人生的方方面面。假如你想要生活得有意义，那么你必需得要掌握采取相一致性的行动的能力。

The reason most people don’t take action is because they think they are a product of their environment. This is a classic case of determinism and a distorted view of reality.

许多人没有采取行动的原因是因为他们认为他们的一切都是拜他们所处的环境所赐。这是一个典型的对现实的曲解。

This thinking gets us nowhere as it leaves our fate beyond our control. If our circumstances are beyond our control, naturally, we’ll lack motivation to take action. What’s the point when we’re a product of our environment?

这样的思维方式会让我们一事无成，因为它让人相信自己无法掌控自己的命运。假如我们的处境超出了我们的掌控范围，那么我们会自然而然地丧失采取行动做出改变的动机。当我们被环境所主宰时，问题的关键在哪呢？

Here’s what this type of thinking look likes:

下面就非常形象地描述了这种思维方式：

As you can see, this is a linear thinking process.

如你所见，这是一种线性的思维方式。

Here’s what is actually happening in reality:

而在现实生活中，实际情况如上图。

You might ask “Jonathan, why did you make the arrows rainbow colored?” Good question. I think diagrams are boring in general, which is why I hesitated to use them. However I think for this purpose, it’s good to be able to see the difference. The rainbow colors are just for added effect. If you really need a meaning though, perhaps it’s because life is much more colorful when you see things clearly.

你也许想问“Jonathan，为什么你要用彩色的箭头呢？”这个问题问得好。总的来说，我觉得图标有点无聊，这正是我不愿去使用它们的原因。然而，这样做的好处可以让你看到不同之处。彩虹色的箭头仅仅是为了增强效果而已。假如你真的想要问个究竟的话，我想它代表的可能就是当你看到事物的本质时，你就会发现生活原来是如此的丰富多彩。

When we can see that this is a continuous cycle, we realize that our environment is a product of us. If our environment is a product of us, well jeez, that means we have to take responsibility for it, don’t we? If you want to give up that responsibility, fine, live a determined² life. But at least make that decision consciously.

当我们看到了这个持续循环的圆圈，我们就能够意识到环境其实是由我们一手创造的。假如外部环境是由我们所创造的，这就意味着我们要担起责任心来，不是吗？假如你想要放弃这个责任，好吧，那你一定要过一种决绝坚定的生活。至少，你应该是有意识地做出这样的决定的。

This may seem like a no-brainer, but most people go for exactly the opposite. They go for security, safety and comfort. They spend more time acquiring outer resources, then developing inner ones.

这听上去是个很简单的事，但是大部分人所做的却恰恰相反。他们所追随的是一种安全、稳妥和舒适的生活。他们花费更多的时间去获取外部的资源，然后再去提升内在的品质。

If you’re going to develop the habit of taking action, you need to be motivated.

假如你想要养成雷厉风行的习惯的话，你需要被激励去那样做。

If you’re doing what you love to do every day, you’re likely to take consistent and massive action.

假如你每天所做的是你所热爱的事的话，你就会持续不断地采取大量的行动。

If you’re working in a job you hate, slaving yourself away in a cubicle³, you’re less likely to take action. You’re just going to do the bare minimum to get by.

假如你所做的是一件使你囚禁在小房间并且被你憎恨的工作的话，你采取行动的可能性就会小得多。你只是做了最少的事来敷衍了事。

To develop the habit of action, we need to make goals that inspire us. When we’re inspired, we’ll be motivated and the natural result is that we’ll take lots and lots of action.

想要养成雷厉风行的习惯，我们需要设定一些能够激励我们的目标。当我们被激励的时候，我们就会有动机，然后我们就会自然而然地采取一系列行动。

Find a way to start doing what you love, even if you have to start small. You’re more likely to develop your talents in something you love, rather than something that gives you a false sense of security. If you feel like you don’t have enough time, consider making time for the important. If we don’t make time for the things that really matter to us, when will we? Who wants to go from the cubicle to the casket?

开始去做你所热爱的事，即使那件事是不值得一提的你也要去尝试。与其去做给你安全感的事，你更应该去开发做你所热爱之事的潜能。假如你觉得你没有足够的时间去做你热爱的事，那就设法腾出时间来去做重要的事吧。假如我们不为对自己来说是重要的事腾出时间去行动的话，何时我们才会去那样做？有谁想要这辈子就这样从囚禁自己的小房间走向棺材呢？