It's Not What You Say, It's What You Do

I think we’re all guilty of this to some extent, and we definitely know someone who operates in this way. It’s easy to talk the talk, but it’s not easy to walk the walk. I’ve found that the most difficult part of doing anything is the follow through, actually doing it, and it creates a large emotional and psychological divide. It’s so easy to talk about wanting to do something - You state large ambitions, make big plans, and talk a big game, but nothing comes from it if you don’t take action. And if nothing comes from it then what purpose did it serve?

For that reason, when I try to get a read on someone I look at their behavior and what they’re doing, not what they’re saying. Someone who keeps grabbing handfuls of chips but says they’re on a diet. A person who complains about not having enough to do but doesn’t make any effort to try new things. There’s a reason the expression “Actions speak louder than words” has been true and effective for decades!

But fortunately, the same goes for the things you tell yourself. Oftentimes negative self-talk isn’t validated by your actions, and it arises from social conditioning and insecurities that distort your perception of truth. But these negative things you say about yourself don’t provide evidence for who you are, it’s what you do that provides evidence. You think you’re unhealthy but you log your food intake. You think you’re lazy but you have a full calendar. 

Take this very moment for example. You are taking the action to read an excerpt related to self-improvement podcast, which in itself separates you from so many people! Let that action motivate you to take another action, and another action, until you recognize the path you're on and the growth you're experiencing.