Actions Matter | Weekbook #21

Actions matter.

This may appear to be a fairly obvious statement, and you'd be correct to think so, however, what most fail to understand is that it goes far beyond the surface-level actions typically focused on.

What I'm talking about are the small actions people take day-to-day, almost certainly without realizing it. Repeatable actions that have formed as part of good, or bad, habits. The actions that 99% of people fail to notice, or give a second thought to. The actions that aren't choreographed, rehearsed, or strategically taken. These are the actions that show you who a person really is.

For example, let’s analyze people who don't put their weights back in the gym. At the surface level, this comes across as annoying and inconsiderate, widely accepted as bad manners, but little more. However, I'd like you to think about it more carefully. What does this action tell you about the type of person they are outside of the gym environment?

To me, this lack of consideration demonstrates selfishness, a willingness to cut corners, reluctance to put in the extra reps when required, and above all, that they're likely a poor team player.

Is the type of person you'd want to be friends with or hire?

Conversely, this works for positive actions too. The person who holds the door open, smiles at strangers, and pushes people up rather than pulling them down is almost certainly going to be a positive influence in your life or your team.

In both the positive and negative cases, the individual won't know they're doing it. It's in their nature to act in that way, which is exactly why it's such a useful indicator.

Don't take my word for it, though. Next time you're doing grocery shopping or in the office, make a conscious effort to pay attention to the small actions people take. You'll find yourself surprised at how much you can infer from them.

Book Notes

I am currently reading SPQR by Mary Beard.

• "Even today, in mechanically printed editions, they keep their place in the syllabus for those who learn Latin, and they remain models of persuasive oratory, whose techniques underline some of the most famous modern speeches, including those of Tony Blair and Barrack Obama."

The above extract is discussing the modern use of Cicero's Against Cataline speech and the impact it has to this day, some 2000 years later. It is a perfect demonstration of how history can teach and influence us, from how we speak to the actions we take, and underlines the importance of paying attention to our history.

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Ending Quote

“Pay attention to what you're paying attention to.” - Howard Rheingold.

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