Lalita Raman
“I’ll get that done by tomorrow morning.”
“Just leave it to me, I’ll help you get that website of yours up and running by the end of this weekend.”
“Hey, you’ve often said that you and I should collaborate together on a topic of common interest where we can work together. You have been interested in leadership workshops and speaking sessions. How about we collaborate on that and see how it goes? Are you interested? You always say that you are interested and then despite several follow ups’ from me, you don’t revert on how we can proceed together. You make statements on how we should think about working together and yet there is zero follow through!”
How many times have you been in one of the above situations where your friends or business partners or acquaintances commit in words to do something yet there is no follow through action?
Our desires dictates our priorities which in turn shape our choices. Our choices in turn determine our actions. Thoughts translate into feeling, feeling to words and/or action, actions become habit, and habits crystallize into character. The formation of a good character, therefore, is largely dependent upon the right unfolding of thoughts and feelings. A person whose thoughts, audio and video is in sync is known to be one who walks their talk. However, is it imperative that every spoken word be translated to action?
“Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.” ― Mark Twain
When is action warranted? I would say almost always. If your word is who you are, having the commitment to follow through and the courage to take the kind of bold action that creates new opportunities is, possibly, one of the most critical skills a leader can have. Every time you commit with your word and don’t honor it with your action, you reveal your character. Do you want to create a relationship of trust and show that you are responsible for your words and actions ?
When is action not necessary ?
-> If you have not been diligent in the way you use your words, possibly in situations of anger and emotional outbursts, follow through action may not be necessary.
-> when you have been boastful of things that you are not capable of or when you had no intention to keep up your words, action is unlikely to follow. The words are not indicative of your authentic self.
Every time this happens, ask yourself:
♠”What am I doing right now that is a powerful and meaningful use of this moment?”
♠”Am I acting responsibility and am I being authentic to myself and in the way I am relating to others?”
♠”Am I avoiding commitments habitually? What am I doing to get out of my comfort zone?”
♠”What changes do I need to bring about to cause a shift in my behavior?”
→Lying to others is bad enough but the worst lies are those we tell ourselves.←
♣Life is a journey of challenges and opportunities and one in which we need to relate and make a connection with others. The choice is yours to make.♣
†Are you willing to keep an open mind, open heart, and be aware about your thoughts, feelings, words and actions?
†Do your words matter?
†Are you ready to take the step forward of being committed and live with integrity?
†Do you have the inclination and thus make the time and effort to keep your word?
Recently I made a commitment to someone and did not live up to my word – at least to the level that I felt I should/could when I made the commitment. It’s actually led to a lot of guilt – which also tells me something. I have reached out to apologize but I think that even more than letting them down, I’ve let myself down because the desire was real but the inner work to follow-through was still lagging.
Another good one from you. Hits home.
Yes, by not staying committed to our word we let down our self. We possibly create an agitation or bad chi within our mind. Thank you for sharing your experience. Gratitude bows to you Alli.