Action, Not Activity

So…how are those New Year’s Resolutions?

We’re a week into the New Year, and I’m going to suggest an idea to help you stay on track (or get back on track!).

Action, not activity.

There is always something to do. An activity to engage in. There always will be. The trouble with activity, though, is that it can fill your days yet get you nowhere. Action is different than activity, in that action is something you do that is attached to an important goal you’ve identified. Activity fills your days. Action moves you forward.

It’s tricky, because in the “activity” category are many worthwhile things. “I should read this book—it’s an important one. It will make me better informed. It will help me in my career.” These are good things. The question I would ask is—are they YOUR things, right now? If your most important thing right now is to exercise and get in shape, and you read the book instead of working out, then you have engaged in activity and not action.

Don’t settle for activity, even worthwhile activity (like reading a good book!). Get clear on what’s important to you and be sure your choices are attached to your goals. Then you will choose action over activity, and not just fill your days with activity, but move your life forward with focused action.