Each and every day here on The Simple Dollar, I write about personal finance tactics (or information somehow related to that general idea). I talk about my own experiences. I share information that I’ve discovered. I review books. I answer questions from readers about their finances.

All of these articles are worthwhile reads (well, at least I think they are). They all seek to share some tactic or set of tactics that can help you get your finances on the right path.

All of the tactics in the world, however, don’t matter at all if you don’t add to them the one factor that really matters.

You have to get up and do something.

Reading about financial success won’t make you a financial success. It might explain some ways to do it and give you some good ideas, but it won’t happen unless you actually do something.

It is much easier to talk a big game without actually changing anything. It is much easier to just find something minor to criticize. It is much easier to think, “That’s a great idea,” then quickly click onto another web page or email. These things merely let you avoid actually having to take action.

The only way you’ll ever bring about real change in your life is if you actually do something.

Cancel your cable bill. Make a meal at home. Negotiate with your credit card issuer over interest rates. Open up your child’s 529 account. Start actually writing that novel or making those videos you’ve been talking about. Take a class. Air-seal your home. Sign up for an activity with your city’s parks and recreation department. Open up that 401(k) account.

Success is all about taking action. Reading ideas is useful, but it only gives you a good framework for the action. Taking that action is up to you.

What are you going to do today to put yourself in a better place?