In Fitness and in Life, Actions Are Everything
Let your actions defend you, not your words
There’s something stupidly simple about exercise. For all its variety and variation, it really comes down to one simple idea: taking action.
You can plan and program and prepare until you’re blue in the face. You can establish your goals and hone your vision. But until you take that first step, then the second, then the third, it’s all pretense.
I’m a writer. I like words and I like to think. I like to put words on paper about the things I think about. But until I wrap those words into some sort of cohesive message or actionable takeaway and then click publish, I can hardly call myself a writer.
Action is what separates the doers from the posers. Success stories from failed ventures. Anyone who’s gotten anywhere in life has done so by doing. That’s not to say planning and preparation are pointless. Of course they have merit. But they pale in comparison to actually doing what it is you’re looking to accomplish.
Action may not always lead us to our desired outcome, but it leads to an outcome. From there we learn. From there we grow. From there we discover who we are and what we’re made of.
And we become more enlightened individuals in the process.
Action inspires personal growth
Action is the key to salvation during times of personal struggle.
Many of us internalize our problems. We don’t need any help, we tell ourselves. We’ll get through it on our own and be stronger for it. But eventually something comes along that completely knocks us on our ass. Something that delivers a sucker punch straight to the gut. Something that tears us up, something we can’t just “figure out”.
In times of crisis, take action.
Just this week I had my first ever counseling session with a licensed therapist. I’ve been struggling lately on a variety of levels. While I tried valiantly to sort things out on my own, I couldn’t. I realized I needed help. So I took action.
And I’m very much looking forward to next week’s session.
Personal growth emerges from discomfort. Only when we’re uncomfortable are we forced to look in the mirror and objectively assess what looks back. We’re forced to ask the tough questions. What brought me here? What can I learn? What can I change in order to avoid this in the future?
Taking action accelerates this growth process. Unfortunately that often includes accelerating our discomfort.
But it also includes accelerating the deliverance that awaits us on the other side.
Action affirms character
Action confirms the values we hold dear.
Our lives are a series of actions and inactions, large and small. Daily steps that add up over months, years and decades. It is by these actions others judge us and by which we judge ourselves. It is by these actions we formulate our views of the world.
Actions are what define our character. What we do in the face of adversity. Or what we don’t do. What we do when we know we’re wrong. Or what we don’t do. What we do when there is no spotlight, when no one else is around. Or what we don’t do.
A man’s character is more than just his words.
Words take us only so far. Words are cheap — there’s too many of them. I’m guilty of using words as a smokescreen, weaving my way in and out of complex situations to avoid conflict or reality or truth. It’s something I’m working on.
Only when words are supported by appropriate action can you be truly taken seriously.
We are what we choose to do, not just what we choose to say. We are what we choose to believe, not just what we choose to espouse. It is our actions, not our words that ultimately shape our destiny.
“A man of personality can formulate ideas, but only a man of character can achieve them.” — Herbert Read
To take action is to take control
I pride myself on my ability to be in control. I take very measured steps personally and professionally to ensure my life is stable and balanced. It’s the plane of existence I prefer. I appreciate spontaneity, it’s just not my default.
But lately I’ve found myself out of control. And it terrifies me.
I understand certain things in life can’t be controlled. It’s not up to me if I get rained on walking to the coffee shop tomorrow morning. What terrifies me are the things inside myself I seemingly can’t control. Thoughts, feelings, and emotions I’ve traditionally avoided, but currently beat me like a drum.
The mind is a fascinating (if not infuriating) enigma. I clearly have some work ahead of me.
In the interim, I’m finding relief in taking action. In trying new things. In meeting new people. In exploring areas of myself I’ve otherwise kept locked away. The control is slowly becoming mine again.
Without upheaval, without chaos, without pounding, a sculpture remains a stone block.
I am my life’s artist, pounding stone, beat after beat.
Our first e-book drops next week! “How To Build a Kickass Fitness Habit: A guide to discovering your passion for a healthy way of life.” Stay tuned for more info!
Scott Mayer is a runner, thinker, curious observer and certified personal trainer. Visit the In Fitness And In Health website for training plans, consulting options and additional content.
Whoo-hoo! I thought about making a comment after reading but was feeling lazy and now it’s easier. Duh. Take action.
Love this principle and have embraced the word ACT as one of my 21 principles.
ACT - Action Changes Things.
Scott, you are truly my hero of being authentic both in word and action!