Recently I posted the following on my Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/drjoevitale:

“Action attracts motivation. Get moving and you get motivated.”

That insight was driven home while I was reading Arnold Schwarzenegger’s autobiography, Total Recall, a book I love. Even at over 600 pages, I’m reading every word of it. There are lessons on life, fitness, marketing, achievement, politics, service, and so much more. It’s fascinating. You might say — as Arnold often does about life — it’s “Fantastic!”

I LOVE Arnold's book!

I LOVE Arnold's book!

One of the methods Arnold uses to achieve such legendary success is setting goals. Nothing new there, but do you do it? And do you do it the way Arnold does?

Arnold declared he would be a famous Hollywood movie star while still a youth in Austria who couldn’t speak English. (!)

Talk about thinking BIG.

Throughout Arnold’s incredible book I see the reoccurring theme that big goals lead to big results.

Arnold doesn’t appear to have deadlines on the goals (unless it’s something like a bodybuilding contest with a specific date already attached to it). Instead, he has the goal in his consciousness and simply works toward it, trusting it will manifest in its own good time. This is different from what most people do: most set goals with drop-dead deadlines.

Not Arnold.

Judging from his astonishing life and all his record-breaking success, his goal setting process works.

What I’ve also noticed is that once he stated a goal, he began to move toward it. He started to take action. Lots of action. He’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever heard of. When he saw his calves were weak, he started doing 1,000 calf raises exercises per day.

One thousand.

A day.

Talk about action!

Why is this photo here? See the PS below.

Why is this photo here? See the PS below.

There’s a real secret here: action leads to motivation, and motivation leads to action.

You can test it out for yourself.

What do you have to do or want to do?

I need to write a blog post here for you every few weeks to stay current. I don’t always feel motivated to do so, because I don’t always have something to say when I first start writing. But my intention is to do my best to stay current, relevant, and interesting to you.

But how do I do that when I don’t feel motivated?

Here’s my secret: I simply go to my computer, fire up my blog, and start writing.

Yes, even when I have no clear idea where I’m going.

I take action anyway.

I know motivation will catch up later.

Same thing happens when I write songs. I may have no idea for a song and little motivation to write one. But I know I want to have one written.

So what do I do?

I start strumming my guitar.

I take action.

Yes, I love to have motivation first. But you don’t have to depend on it. You can call it out.

I just finished reading Neil Young’s autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace, and learned that’s how he writes most songs: pick up a guitar and start playing. Invite the songs to arrive with action.

He invites the muse with action

He invites the muse with action

Hare’s what I invite you to do:

1. State a goal. Just declare it. What would you love to have, do or be? (Be honest.)

2. Decide to go for it. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to attract it? (If not, you haven’t stated the goal you really want.)

3. Take action. Whether you feel like it or not, just start moving. Let motivation catch up. (What can you do right now?)

All of the above requires a certain level of faith.

You have faith that stating a goal is going to make a difference.

You have faith that your decision is going to stir energies seen and unseen in the universe, in and around you.

You have faith that your actions will lead to the expected results.

You have faith that all of this will work out for your highest good, and in its own sweet time.

That said, it shouldn’t surprise you that the title of one of my next books is Faith.

Meanwhile, here’s another example for you:

After the completion of my fourth album, The Healing Song, I sat and felt at peace. I was relaxed, felt good, but didn’t have any motivation or goal to create any more music. As a result, no new songs came to me.

My fourth music album

My fourth music album

When Daniel Barrett came by my studio for our twice weekly sessions, I told him how I felt. I said I think my music is over, as I don’t feel inspired or compelled or motivated to record any more.

As we explored the issues and my concerns, I suddenly felt I could do another album. I grew excited about it. I then declared, “I want to create one more CD by the end of the year. Let’s record five new songs.”

This was a pretty bold goal, especially when I had just said my mental well was dry, and the end of the year is only a couple of months away, but Daniel went with the energy and agreed we could do it.

In fact, he upped the ante and challenged me to create ten new songs for it.

I then declared that I would make it so. I made the decision.

And guess what?

There's that car again! See PS below.

There's that car again! See PS below.

As a result, a song came to me later that day.

And another the next day.

And a third a few days later.

Wait!

There were no songs before the goal, and three songs after it?

Hmmmmm. Maybe there’s something to this goal setting secret.

Note the insight:

Goals trigger action.

But you don’t need motivation to take action; you can start doing and the motivation will catch up.

Let me sum it up like this:

I love Arnold's book so much I hunted for a signed one

I love Arnold's book so much I hunted for a signed one

Goals are how you start a fire within yourself. You might be feeling “blah” and have no desire for much of anything but living in the moment and vegging. But let an inspired idea become a goal and suddenly you ignite the pilot light in your soul. Now you have direction, purpose, and energy. The goal triggers the release of new powers, and even begins to attract opportunities and more to bring the goal into reality. Welcome to the world of miracles.

Is this exciting or what?

Arnold knows this.

I know this.

Now you do, too.

What are you going to do with it?

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS — The car photos above are of a pristine 1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 300SL, one of the most collectible cars in the world. I saw the listing for this one and felt inspired to announce it as a new goal.  No deadline. No pressure. Just thinking about it is stretching my wealth comfort zone, as these cars often sell for over one million dollars. But that’s the whole idea: to stretch. Wouldn’t it be cool if that amazing car (or something even better!) was mine in the next few months (or sooner)? So here I am, publicly sharing it with you. I have no idea when it will appear in my life, but I’m open and ready for it. After all, I do know how to attract cars. Now it’s your turn: What do you want to attract into your life next? (Be honest!)

Member BBB 2003 - 2012

Member BBB 2003 – 2012

13 Comments

  1. Olwen Anderson-Reply
    October 11, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Thanks for another inspiring post Joe!

  2. Veronica-Reply
    October 12, 2012 at 7:44 am

    Joe, this is one of your best notes ever! I know this stuff, but I haven’t been living it. This note is just the motivational kick in the pants I needed. Thanks!

  3. October 13, 2012 at 1:28 am

    What I’m observing from you is how you look for the best in things & then appreciate them.

    As scandalous as his “downfall” might have been, his uprising is the stuff of legends.

    My observation is that the fact he has a child by another woman makes this ex-governor easily marketable.

    So truly, there is no “downfall” only lessons in life that, as soon as you learn them, you can profit from.

    I’m thankful for this reminder.

  4. October 13, 2012 at 6:26 am

    Great review of the Total Recall book! Wow.. 600 pages. Can’t imagine I’ll ever finish reading it but as Joe said, “big goals lead to big results”, I need to set this goal and take action. Going off to get the book.. Thank you.

  5. Andrew Muzarev-Reply
    October 13, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    I know that he visualized winning of the Mr. Universe competition – and he has won it several times! It’s absolutely amazing!!! – It’s real inspiration for every sportsmen and people of all walks of life.I always have goosebumps on my skin when I remember this story.
    I can share with you one more detail how he was famous in our Belarus – in my childhood we children often called very strong person “arnold” – it is house hold name in our country))). That’s the evidence, how poor Austrian teenager can become world-famous sportsman and actor with the help of the Law of Attraction and visualization.

  6. October 15, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Great post Joe! I love the advice to simply get moving and let motivation catch up with you.

  7. October 17, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Thanks Joe!
    Last night I read this post…and this morning I “attracted” a new song. It only took about 30 minutes as I let it come to me. The song literally wrote itself and if you wish to listen to it (it`s Finnish btw, so you most likely don`t understand a word…)you can find it at youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EecopZNlDJ8&feature=youtu.be

    So, thank you for writing this post, you`re awesome!

  8. Wale-Reply
    October 23, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Dr joe,you are a legend.I have seen “THE SECRET”It is amazing what can happen when you send signal(Vibration)to the Universe.Just do it.Thank you,Dr joe.

  9. October 25, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks a lot for this! Now I realize about some mistakes I made. I am inmediatly fixing it! Thanks a lot again!
    And all the stuff you say about the car, that reminds me about my own experience. It’s awesome to do something like that, brilliant indeed. =D

  10. Christine-Reply
    November 21, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    What I’d really love to do is to work from home, computer work or something like that.

    Have you got a job for me?

    Well you said think big!!!!!

    Best Wishes

    Chris Xx

  11. December 23, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    Thanks for the great post. Taking action is great advice. I am also reading Total Recall, and just can’t help getting inspired by his story and life philosophies. Great book!

Leave A Comment