Do you act or react? Some people only respond to problems in life. Other people take charge of their situation, assess the factors around them, and choose based on a personal plan. People who act are in control of their lives. Those who react fail to make the choices over their own circumstances.

Nathaniel Branden, author of The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, claims that the active approach to life is a foundation of self-esteem. When we choose for ourselves, and take responsibility for our course, we build our level of internal satisfaction. We are designed to be responsible action-takers, people who make choices and move in a corresponding direction.

Are you in charge of your life? The choice to act is yours; no one can give it to you. The gift of determining for yourself is a strong self-esteem, one that can lead you toward your fond dreams. Here are some recommended steps to help you act in your self-interest.

Center yourself. Take some time regularly to abide in the place where you live in stillness and perceive the rest of the world. Know how to get there, and calmly return on a regular basis. You are more than the forces acting on you. When you return to your center, you will be connected to your vital purpose in the world. You need this connection to be active to know how you should be acting.

Reflect regularly. Do you understand what you are trying to achieve? Have you stated your direction in writing? If not, get to it.  Put your pen to paper, or launch your word processor. Decide on your personal worthy effort. Think of this process as a dialogue you have with your highest part of yourself.

Know your legacy. Think beyond yourself. How does your work provide a benefit to the world? Don’t just state it, believe it. Make sure that you see a connection between your actions, and how you make your community a better place. We all leave legacies; make yours an intentional one. When you know that your work helps orphans to grow up healthy, you will be positive about acting. Your concern is than your personal needs. The drive to create a legacy that helps others tends to add urgency to the effort.

Set a blueprint. My daily blueprint is probably similar to your daily task list.  By calling it a “blueprint” however, I remind myself that this is a plan, subject to change, and that I created it.  What I created, I can change, depending on the needs of the moment. The blueprint is also a kind reminder that other forces can demand hours from my day.  What I have not been able to complete before the sun goes down can be added to tomorrow’s effort.

If you are feeling aimless, if you have settled into a passive mode of living, decide to change. Your self-esteem will grow as you take action. Begin your transformation by pausing in your center, reflecting on your life purpose, and remember that you have an opportunity to help others. These internal steps will sustain your efforts to become effective and confident.


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Be a leader.  Use imagination, career experience, and awareness of your world.  Take action.

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