We all know the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” It’s something we’ve all heard from time to time, but what does it really mean? Sometimes I myself personally get in the habit of speaking elaborately on plans that I wish to accomplish. I think of ideas and I go to others telling them of how great and awesome something I wish to pursue is. Then, like many times before, it gets placed in the wastebasket with all other good intentions I once had that never came to fruition.
Why, if after careful consideration, and thinking things through, do we resort to inaction? A great difficulty is already over; ie the mental exertion – toiling over the idea in your mind, finding solutions, thinking of alternatives, deciding on action, is already done with. Yet, the easiest part, simply carrying out everything that has already been decided, gets discarded.
One reason this happens, and it is very easy to get in the habit of this behavior, is that once someone renegs on his word, it is much easier to justify this behavior in the future. Empty promises become commonplace, and eventually it is just one big continuum.
Let’s take a look at an example. It’s a common one, but it elaborates the point clearly.
Someone decides to work out more, which is a good intention in itself. The problem is it’s not a set, defined plan. How many times should I work out? When will I go? What are my goals in doing this? Do I want to lose weight? Should I focus on more cardio or weight training? Ah to hell with it, this is too overwhelming.
They’re already doomed from the beginning. Why? They failed to plan in advance. They say the road to hell is filled with good intentions. This is one of the reasons why. It’s not necessarily the consequences, though this is what the phrase is typically used for. People do not take the time to consider the details of their plan.
Another reason people fail to follow through, especially on the above example of working out more, is simply because we’re lazy. The physical part, resistance of the body, takes hold and without reason or thought, we take the easy road. For example, someone might say how they are going to work out 3 times a week. They might go the first time, but eventually the second time rolls around, and a one time action is faced with the task of putting one and one together. A streak, so to say, and we then become overwhelmed, not wanting to face the long road of getting fit.
It’s easy to get caught up in thought patterns. Remember the old Nike ads that centered around the slogan, “just do it” There is a reason this motto was so popular. Because every human being can relate to the worry and fear associated with trying to conquer something that is out of their comfort zone. And there’s also a reason why we feel so crumby every time we say we’re going to something and end up not following through. There’s a reason we feel guilt, and also addicted to simply talking about things and not taking action. Because it’s so easy and makes us feel good, but in an empty and cheap way. And because of this, we’re selling ourselves short.
Something to practice: Next time you have some insight or inspiration to complete a task, and find the inclination to tell others about it, keep it to yourself. This is not to disregard the importance of accountability. if you find yourself needing some encouragement from an outsider, tell only one person, but be confident that it will be kept confidential. Sometimes, due to out laziness or contentment with the status quo, we simply have to have someone egging us on to remember why we started in the first place. If, still, you find yourself not getting around it, then you simply do not want it bad enough.
Quotes to consider: “A dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its achievement” (brainyquote.com)
One reservation I had in writing this was the thought that I was merely speaking words and not taking action, but the act of writing is the act itself. And it’s not merely a means of making myself feel good. Sure, its therapeutic to write and there is a sense of accomplishment at the end of it when it;s finished. But the primary goal is to motivate others to take action too.
That’s why it’s important not to overthink the situation of talking too much and not following through. Don’t be too hard on yourself either, but take an honest look at yourself and ask yourself, am I doing what I should be doing? Are there better things I could be doing with my time? Do I find myself simply talking about things I want to do instead of actually doing them?
It’s important to be honest and clear. And also to be proactive. The sooner you get started the easier it is to build momentum and keep going. A common mistake many people make is that they think about what they want to be 5 years from now, 10 years from now, a long time in the future. But in reality, it’s actually impossible to figure this out without first taking the first step.
And another negative result of trying to be too much in control and overthinking everything, is not only the mental stress, but falling into the trap of perfectionism, which is a form of vanity. The reality is, mistakes are going to be made. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. The greatest inventors, businessmen and businesswomen, actors, philosophers, mathmaticians, etc must first make mistakes in making progress. Some view it as failure, some as advances.
One of the first things you are taught in beginning science courses is to form a hypothesis, and to test that hypothesis, until a solution is found. Along the way, the hypothesis is found to be true or false through trial and error. The same is true for any endeavor. A great deal of planning can be done in order to arrive at the best possible conclusion. But nothing, no progress, no advancements, are going to be made without action. That is another reason why it is so easy to simply talk, and not act.
The uncertainty can simply be crippling. Noone likes to not know what the future has in store for them. As a result, talking about it can be somewhat soothing. It can be reassuring, almost like you’re trying to convince yourself of the decision you’re arriving at. Sometimes, jumping right into it is the best way out of this mindtrap.
The Wright brothers had to crash their aircraft many times before taking flight. Edison failed the lightbulbs a thousand times. Babe Ruth led the league in strikeouts. The list goes on. Don’t always look at the failures along the way, take lessons from them and move on. Keep your eye on the end goal. And most importantly, take action.
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