Make it Happen March: Stop Talkin' and Start Baby Steppin'

This month I have been prodding people more than usual about what they are working towards in their lives. A lot of people have a lot to say. What was interesting to me, though, was the fact that the most productive people spoke the least. I'm not sure if this was a coincidence, but to me it seemed like the productive people (the one's who are making it happen) were the people who had a few clear resolutions and who were taking a few clear and solid steps toward each goal. 

Those who seemed the least productive or successful were those who had  a lot of big ideas and a lot of big sentences to describe them. And many were hard to follow.

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In focusing in and making things happen in my own life this month, I have realized how little use there really is for an excess of words. Shakespeare suggested that we should "Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest" and  Mark Twain concurred saying that it is  "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt".  I can't tell you how many times I have removed people's doubt by over-talking and under-doing. 

As it turns out, when you use less words, you leave room for more action. And, since actions speak louder than words, you're really saying more with less. Whoah. The more words you use leads to greater risk of speaking excuses or describing why you can't do something. Or describing things you should be doing. Or worrying about what might happen with what you are trying to make happen. People can have a hard time following your words, but they will not have a hard time following your actions. 

Because this world is full of words, people seem to be impressed and surprised when actions are taken by big-talkers. I have found that to be true this month. It has now been 28 days since I have consumed an animal product, which only leaves 18 more until Lent is over. People are now starting to believe I can do it. 28 days. 4 weeks. And now it's possible. I've also gotten this response with running. I am now up to four (grueling) miles. I still haven't found that runner's high that runners brag about, but I just keep on going towards the 10K goal for May.  

"We got your runner's high right here, man."

So, now I am having people tell me "Oh, I couldn't be as self-disciplined as you." or "Well, you're a really disciplined person so you can do that kind of thing, but I can't." This is hilarious to me. Seriously. I have never been, nor am I sure that I ever will be "a disciplined person". In fact, my natural tendencies are quite lazy, to be be honest. But I am doing disciplined things. And now people are seeing me as a disciplined person.

This got me thinking- nobody is born a disciplined person. Maybe all of these people we look to as "having it all together" or "disciplined in reaching their goals" are just people who are taking action instead of talking about it. And being consistent in it. It takes a while to see results, and in this ADD, download-it-right-this-second culture, consistency is often scarce. 

Wait, you're saying this doesn't work?

There's nearly two weeks left of Make it Happen March. Still time to begin becoming "a disciplined person".  You don't have to talk about it much, just start doing it. All it really takes is baby-steps. 

One small, practical goal at a time. Eventually, you will be making things happen that you never thought you could. And people will be impressed, surprised and encouraged. And so will you.