“Actions have always spoken louder than words.” “It’s the little things that matter.” We have all heard these sayings, but how well have we digested the information? I am constantly amazed and often saddened by people’s tendencies to dig their own holes or build their own mountains (rather than mole hills). It isn’t the grand decisions or bold actions that define a life, although these things make a difference, but how people show up every day that defines them.
- It’s the individual who does their best to apply the “Golden Rule” to building fulfilling and enduring relationships
- It’s the musician who practices every day who becomes a more accomplished player
- It’s the student who rarely misses class, always does their homework, and takes good notes who is most assured of getting good grades
- It’s the employee who regularly does what they say they are going to do, who gets promoted
- It’s the manager who leads by example who gets the most done
- It’s the leader who continually works at getting smarter about their role and their marketplace who gets the best long-term business results
Most people I know want to create better outcomes in their life. They spend hours dreaming, thinking, and talking about what a better situation could look like. They are usually confident in their own abilities and feel they measure up favorably against their peers. It is not unusual to hear them surprised or even offer rationalizations when others they deem less talented or capable achieve more success. The bottom line is that health, happiness, and success are all the result of daily habits and behaviors. These habits lead to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Given the option, I would always place my bet on the individual who, regardless of their circumstances, strives to do the best they can do, even when no one is looking or when shortcuts are readily available. I encourage you to consider that that the ends don’t always justify the means. However, how you achieve your results always does matter.
Related articles
- Daily Habits Make A Difference (capacity-building.com)
- Smarter Faster Better book excerpts (capacity-building.com)
- Principle Number Three: The Golden Rule (psychologytoday.com)
- THE Revised “Golden Rule” (socyberty.com)
- How to manage people? ; The Golden rule of people management (wisdomfrombooks.wordpress.com)
- The Most Important Person In the World (jeffalexanders.wordpress.com)
- Good Leaders Learn What Not to Do | Leading From the Library (lj.libraryjournal.com)