Often we are moved by what people say and promise, only to find later that it was something that was never brought into action. Words and actions are two different domains, while the former makes us feel happy and elated, the latter is what brings results we desire.
Recently when my spouse’s passport had to be renewed for an urgent travel requirement, a dear friend’s advisor, said you need to get your authenticity validated by a government official, IPS, or politician!! I was shocked to hear this, as something as simple as renewal should be happening online, isn’t it? While the kind and reassuring words of this person were soothing his non-action didn’t change my reality!! Though I had applied for TATKAL, nothing seemed to move!! On one hand, I felt let down by the system, on the other, I was determined to find a professional who could get it done. Finally, I landed up with an agent who re-applied and got us an appointment in Hubli!! Though we have never been to the place, we took a flight and finally did the needful to complete the process. Eventually, when we got the passport in hand, I realized that while words of many keep us preoccupied in feeling helpless and believing that things will not work…there are actions that we can take to accomplish the task in hand!!
Though this is a trivial incident, the same moral or principle can be applied to anything that you wish to do or accomplish. There is no end to the comforting words of others and your own words to delay actions! The best way to progress on any agenda is to reach out and also figure out your action plan. As my dear friend, Vikas always says bash on regardless of results and accolades. Your actions today can be favors to others around you and yourself in the journey towards your destiny! Your choices of today will define you and your actions for tomorrow. Your brand value is built on keeping up to your words to yourself and to others.
The biggest statement that you can make as a leader is to make your choices and act on them. When your thoughts -words -actions and promises are in alignment, you become an effortless leader of choice people can trust. Till such alignment, people might have reverence for your position or chair… your glory would be limited to your designation and status. The biggest example of a leader who lived beyond his status and power, worshipped by his team and an inspiration to every leader around, is our very own MISSLE MAN APJ Abdul Kalam.
3 Ways to motivate yourself towards the actions rather than words:
- Explore to Find your Answers -We live in an age of skepticism and rule out things very fast thereby refusing to explore at times. The best leaders of actions never stop exploring the best solutions. Once you know your purpose and goals, it’s time to explore the best options that need to be chosen and acted on. As they say, ”where there is a will there is a way”… so do you want to explore the way or give up prematurely!!
- Figure Your Offers -The moment you decide your goals, start thinking in lines of what favors or gives you can extend. As a leader, your give is more important than your ask! When you are confident of your offers, you can step into the barter. The world is built on an ecosystem of GIVE & ASK!! When you know your gives are strong you don’t need to wait for favors, you can command your barter mechanism. Every aspect of nature endorses the barter mechanism of life…Thus finding and building a market for your skills -competence and attributes is a way to build your strong offer! Whether you are in product or service, it boils down to the Need & Supply of what you offer.
- Time Limitation Reminder – We all have limited time and how we want to exploit it, decides our destiny on the D- Day! Recently one of my colleagues brought up this topic, if we have another decade left, would we waste it in remorse of what couldn’t be done…or act on things in our power!!!? I think we all get a wake-up call sometime or other to make the best choices… and that’s when we can make our fate change it’s course for the better!
What are your goals? What choices would help you reach your goals? How do you want to get started on your choices? Do share with us how actions have played a role in your life.
drsonaliduttabaanerjee 