Practice as a mindset
You are what you repeatedly do. You will most possibly have heard this many times before. Possibly attributed to different people —most of times to Aristotle himself—. Maybe articulated with different wordings. Regardless of the messenger, the message is crystal clear: actions speak louder than words.
A simple idea that carries profound implications. Especially so if you aim to be authentic and intentional, true to your beliefs. Thinking and talking is actually the easy part. Acting on it is where things start to get interesting.
As a strategist, I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in the world of ideas, elaborating plans, setting ambitious goals, and making big claims. Don't get me wrong, these are all part of the process of charting your own path. But it's also too easy to fall into the trap of abstraction. Truth is, actions speak louder than words ever could. The story we share —and we tell ourselves— is relevant, but what we actually do is what truly matters. The walk is the talk.
That gap between intention and execution is where the true test of character lies. Values and ideals only exist in the moments we choose to actively live them out. Whether individually or collectively, taking action is crucial. It’s about making those consistent choices that bring your true ethos to life. Practice is the ultimate test of commitment. As someone said, "If it doesn't cost you money, it's not a principle, it's an opinion."
For me, this is a heuristic I keep close in my day to day, setting boundaries and frameworks to live in. Professionally, this is taking me from strategic thinking to strategic practice. Far from being a dramatic shift, this is more of a natural progression. It's about embodying a viewpoint. About focusing on the principles and systems that reflect true ideals and character. About slowly but surely shaping reality to match our aspirations. Most of times, it’s small actions that make the biggest difference over time.
Of course, this isn't always easy. It's comfortable to live in the world of ideas, where everything is perfect and possible. Taking action means facing the messy reality of imperfection and, at some point, potential failure. But it's in this space of doing —trying, learning, and trying again— that real growth and authenticity emerge.
Maybe the next time you find yourself thinking, ask yourself: “what's one small action I can take right now to move the needle towards this ideal?”. Then, take that step. It might feel insignificant, but remember, it compounds.
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