Turning Thought into Action: A Guide to Using Our Think Pieces for Personal Growth

Our articles (just part of what you get as a member) are designed to provoke thought, inspire change, and offer new perspectives.

While many of you find them brilliant, we understand that translating these insights into action can be challenging. This guide will help you bridge the gap between thought and action, ensuring you make progress towards your goals.

Create Space for New Ideas

Social Media and LinkedIn especially has created consumers over readers.

We are used to devouring vast quantities of mostly low-insight material at pace, whilst multi-tasking.

We then wonder: why am I not changing? Growing? Why can't I remember all the great things I read, except vaguely? Why am I static, seeing glimmers of something better, but never able to grasp anything.

We've forgotten how to read.

All our materials at Unplugged Ambition (the ones we produce and the ones we include in programmes or resource lists) are designed to be read in silence, without hurry, and with contemplation space afterwards (ie don't read and scroll, don't read and run). They aren't hot-takes but what you take out depends on you approaching the act of reading in a way we've forgotten to undertake any task: with your full attention.

Reflect on Your Insights

  • Active Reading: Engage with the think piece by highlighting key points and making notes. A dedicated Reading Document can be a great place to jot down two or three sentences from each piece which you want to hold onto. Over time this Reading Diary becomes your personal non-religious Guide.
  • Read and Walk: After reading, go for a short (as little as 10-minutes) walk. Ask yourself questions about how the ideas relate to your life. What stands out. What does this piece mean for you.
  • Journaling: Write down your reflections. According to research, journaling can enhance self-awareness and clarify thoughts, making it easier to translate them into actions (Pennebaker & Chung, 2011).

Set Specific Goals

  • SMART Goals: Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set goals based on insights from the think piece (Doran, 1981).
  • Break It Down: Divide your main goal into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes it less overwhelming and more achievable.

Engage with the Community

  • Share Your Journey: Post your thoughts as to what you can take out of the article and seek feedback in the Discord channel. Engaging with others can provide motivation and new perspectives.
  • Accountability Partners: Pair up with someone who has similar goals. Hold each other accountable and provide mutual support.

Evaluate and Adjust

  • Regular Review: Periodically review your progress and reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Adjust your action plan as needed.
  • Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This builds confidence and motivation.

Academic Insights on Personal Growth and Change

Before (at any point during) your journey, it is worth investing time to the understand what it requires of you.

Everyone's in a rush to set up that side-hustle, or take that leap; you might feel alone.

But a great deal of research has gone into the topic of making change, and it's all available to you.

Check out:

  1. Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000): This theory emphasizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in fostering motivation and personal growth. Ensure your goals align with your intrinsic values and seek supportive relationships within the community.
  2. Growth Mindset (Dweck, 2006): Embrace a growth mindset by viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Believe in your ability to develop through dedication and hard work.
  3. Habit Formation (Duhigg, 2012): Understand the habit loop (cue, routine, reward) to develop new, positive habits that support your goals. Consistent repetition is crucial to forming lasting habits.
  4. Behavioral Activation (Martell, Dimidjian, & Herman-Dunn, 2010): This approach emphasizes engaging in activities that align with your values to combat inactivity and procrastination. Plan activities that are meaningful and fulfilling.

Practical Exercises to Turn Think Pieces into Action

  1. Mind Mapping: Create a mind map of the think piece's main ideas and how they relate to your goals.
  2. Action Lists: Develop a list of actionable items inspired by the think piece. Prioritize them and set deadlines.
  3. Peer Discussions: Organize small group discussions to share insights and action plans. Use these sessions to gain feedback and refine your approach.
  4. Personal Challenges: Set a personal challenge based on the think piece. For example, if it’s about enhancing creativity, commit to a daily creative exercise for a month.

By following these guidelines, you can turn the thought-provoking insights from our think pieces into concrete actions that lead to personal growth and meaningful change. Remember, taking responsibility for your journey is the first step towards achieving your goals.

Let's move from thinking to doing, together!