Have you found yourself having multiple conversations about your dreams, plans, and goals, only to realize that little to nothing has changed in your life? It’s easy to get lost in the comfort of talking, but real growth happens when we take action. That’s the truth we want to talk about today: “Talk about it less. Live it more.” Life isn’t about what we say we’ll do, but what we actually do.
We spend so much time sharing plans and ambitions and this often takes precedence over living them out. Check your favorite social media feed. I’m willing to bet you’ll see people discussing their big ideas, posting about their future goals. Check back in a few months. Is it still just talk?
Why? Because the talking provides a false sense of accomplishment. It can make us feel like we’re making progress, but in reality we’re stuck in inaction. Talking is easy, it’s safe, and it can also hold us back from taking the risks we need to take to truly live. Consider the many people and movements throughout history that have made a lasting impact: their success wasn’t in what they talked about, but in what they did.
When we take action, we experience personal growth and fulfillment. We also inspire those around us. Of course, this isn’t always easy. Everyday issues like fear of failure, overthinking, and perfectionism can keep us stuck in the talking phase. To move past this, we need to change the way we think. Everyone says that, but what does it even mean? Well, some new thoughts could sound like:
· I can’t do everything at once, but I can start. What can I start with? And do it. Then keep asking, What’s next? And keep doing it.
Instead of, It’s just too much. What’s the point? I’ll never be able to do it.
· Nothing is ever perfect, but I can learn and grow from my mistakes.
Instead of, I keep making mistakes. Clearly this isn’t meant to be, at least not for me.
Question yourself a bit.
· Is everyone in my circle just talking?
· Are we holding each other back?
· Can we instead start pushing each other and helping each other be accountable?
Or maybe you want to start this journey on your own. Challenge yourself to act on your ideas before sharing them with others. One thing at a time. Your confidence will grow as you begin seeing actions backing your words.
Regardless of how you choose to go about it, pause and reflect on your progress regularly. What’s working? What’s not? Make adjustments where you need to… then keep it pressing.
One step leads to a few which leads to habits that produce significant change. It takes discipline and it takes patience, but start small and let that discipline and patience grow right along with you.
Talking definitely has its place. Sharing thoughtfully with others can lead to large ideas and big action. But what we’re focusing on here is the talking that leads nowhere. Remember that life isn’t about what you say you’ll do, but about what you actually do. Identify one area in your life where you’ve been talking more than living, and challenge yourself to take action today. It doesn’t have to be big—just take the first step.
Have you truly talked, or have you truly lived? You get to decide. Talk about it less. Live it more.
