Forced Action vs. Inspired Action: The Key to Aligned Success

In pursuing success, we often find ourselves at a crossroads: do we push harder and force things to happen, or do we trust the flow and act from a place of alignment? Understanding the difference between forced action and inspired action can be the key to creating success without burnout, frustration, or unnecessary struggle.  

Before we dive in, let's get on the same definitional page. According to the Dictionary of Oxford Languages:  

Action - the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.  

Inspired - of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse. Webster states that outstanding or brilliant in a way or to a degree suggestive of divine.  

Forced - obtained or imposed by coercion or physical power, (gesture or expression) produced or maintained with effort, affected or unnatural.  

Aligned - to place or arrange (things) in a straight line 

What is Forced Action?  

Forced action is driven by pressure, fear, or external expectations rather than genuine alignment or intuition. It feels like a constant uphill battle, requiring excessive effort with little reward. People often take forced action because they feel they must rather than want to.  

Signs of Forced Action:  

• Feeling drained, frustrated, or resistant while acting  

• Making decisions out of fear, urgency, or obligation  

• Taking on projects, clients, or commitments that don’t feel right  

• Overworking or pushing through exhaustion to “keep up”  

• Forcing progress despite feeling unclear or uninspired  

• Procrastination  

• Not aligned

Examples of Forced Action:  

• Launching a product before it's ready because of pressure to meet a deadline  

• Taking a job or project out of fear rather than genuine interest  

• Posting on social media to stay relevant, even when uninspired  

• Saying yes to commitments out of obligation rather than alignment  

Struggling to get through is a sure sign of Forced Action

What is Inspired Action?  

Inspired action comes from a place of alignment, clarity, and intuition. Webster calls it divine, and it truly is. It feels natural, exciting, and purposeful—like you’re being pulled toward something rather than forcing it. It may still require effort, but there’s an underlying ease and trust in the process.  

Signs of Inspired Action:  

• Feeling energized and excited about what you’re doing  

• Decisions come with clarity rather than confusion or hesitation  

• Workflows naturally, and obstacles feel manageable  

• A sense of trust that things are unfolding as they should  

• Opportunities appear effortlessly, confirming you’re on the right path  

• Time is irrelevant  

• Fueled by clarity and passion  

• Feeling totally aligned to yourself and your task

Examples of Inspired Action:  

• Feeling called to launch a new offer or business idea and everything flows smoothly  

• Writing a blog post effortlessly because the message feels important  

• Saying yes to an opportunity because it genuinely excites you or it feels right  

• Taking a bold step that feels right, even if it’s outside your comfort zone  

Inspiration feels good! You wanna dance it out!

How to Shift from Forced Action to Inspired Action  

If you find yourself forcing things, it’s time to pause and realign. Here are some ways to shift into inspired action:  

1. Pause & Reflect: Ask yourself why you’re acting. Is it out of fear or alignment?  

2. Tune Into Your Intuition: Meditate, journal, or get in nature to reconnect with what feels right.  

3. Let Go of Control: Trust that things will unfold in divine timing and order.  

4. Follow the Energy: Pay attention to what excites and energizes you.  

5. Permit Yourself to Step Back: Many times, waiting for clarity is better than forcing action.  

Meditate, journal or being in nature will return you to harmony

BE WARNED!!! INSPIRATION HAS AN EXPIRATION  

When inspiration hits, you must act on it quickly. Energy like time never stops moving. The inspiration hits when all things in the Universe are aligned - including you. If you wait, the energy shifts, the people who you need to talk with become difficult to reach, the coincidences that were lined up - fade and then inspiration starts diminishing itself from your energy.  Remember, when it hits ACT. Act without hesitation. I promise you no other action then will feel better or be more productive.  

When Inspiration strikes, act on it!

Final Thoughts  

Forced action leads to frustration, burnout, and unnecessary struggle. Inspired action, on the other hand, creates flow, fulfillment, and sustainable success. The more you trust the process and act from alignment, the more effortless success becomes.