It has been said that there are three categories of people.  There are people who make things happen.  There are people who watch things happen.  And there are those who wonder what happened.

It's true that many circumstances are beyond your control.  However, you can do more than sit idly by while things happen to you as a result.  Don't join others who remain passively in the bleachers watching their lives unfold on the field in front of them.

Suppose a branch hits the roof of your house, causing it to leak.  What happens if you ignore the damage?  The leak will get worse over time causing the damage to spread.  Would it make any sense to just watch the water drip in?  Can you use the fact that you have no control over the weather, and the roof leaks only when it rains, to justify inaction?  And you would then hope for an extended period of dry weather. 

Of course you need to immediately repair the roof.  Yet many people do little more than act as spectators in spite of facing a variety of circumstances requiring action.  The way to take control of your life is to get busy and make things happen.

Ron lost his job during an economic downturn.  Although his income stopped, the bills continued.  Ron was very disheartened after being laid off.  The unemployment rate was pushing 10 percent.  The job market was flooded with lots of others in the same situation.  Furthermore, Ron was in his late 40's.

Ron was entitled to unemployment benefits for the next 6 months.  A number of Ron's friends, who were also laid off, decided to relax for a few months, living off their unemployment checks.  Ron wasn't as complacent.  He knew he couldn't afford to wait around while the economy was tight.

Ron was hit with the reality that he wouldn't be able to get a job at his previous salary.  As if that wasn't bad enough, there weren't many, if any, positions in Ron's field.  Ron recognized that he would have to work at something else, at a much lower salary.

As Ron looked for work, he also discovered just about all of the lower paying jobs were part time.  Ron knew he had to make things happen.  He took two part time jobs.  It wasn't ideal.  The income was marginal and Ron wasn't utilizing his skills. 

But Ron understood he would be making more money working than waiting at home for the economy to improve.  At least he would be able to cover most of his expenses and not have to drain his savings.  The economic situation will eventually turn around, as it always has.  Ron consoled himself with the knowledge that his work situation was only temporary.

Ron's friend Ed, took a different approach.  After Ed's unemployment ran out, he refused to take a lower paying job because he said there was no point in working for so little.  With no income, Ed quickly used up his savings.  Facing overwhelming expenses, Ed sold his home.  Ed watched things happen while Ron made them happen.

You can make things happen in your life.  Doing something is always preferable to doing nothing.  Even though you may not be able to create the perfect situation, being involved generates more positive results than remaining a spectator.  People who watch things happen have a higher stress level and are more frustrated than those individuals who are active.  Get up and start working to create your desired outcome.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2009 Bryan Golden

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