Aristotle, the renowned Greek philosopher, physician and scientist wrote, “We are what we repeatedly do.” A simple yet profound truth that is ignored billions of times a day by hundreds of millions of people all over the world. We are not what we say, we are not what we intend, we are not what we wish, we are not what we want, we are not what we plan, we are not what we dream… We are what we repeatedly do!
To more accurately understand yourself… who and what you really are… carefully document and study what you repeatedly do. To more accurately understand your colleagues, your team, your direct reports, the person to whom you report, your family or anyone else in your life… who and what they really are… carefully study what they repeatedly do.
Picture this in your mind. What if you consistently wore a bright neon sign on your forehead… or better yet over your lips that read, “I know my actions speak so loud… you barely hear what I am saying.” For almost all of us, wearing such a true and visible sign would radically change our lives… for the better. It would remind us and those around us to be far more aware of this profound and universal truth. We are what we repeatedly do!
The reality that actions speak far louder than words has always been, and will always be true. It’s just that most of us don’t remember, and don’t live the truth and wisdom of this universal principle on a daily basis. We fall into the inviting trap and habit of thinking, believing and acting as if what we say has far more importance than it really has. What really counts… is what you repeatedly do!
Particularly in this day and age, talk is extremely cheap… almost meaningless and many times absolutely worthless. Each day, there are billions of emails, billions of text messages, billions of cell phone calls, thousands of talk radio, TV and Internet shows, millions of podcasts, and millions of tweets… not to mention the massive and overwhelming talk and chatter via social media sites. Over-inflated and downright fraudulent resumes and ‘experience summaries’ are available by the millions.
We need far less talk and far more execution! We need less talk and more results! We need less talk and more accountability. The world… your business… your family… the people you touch and influence need more people who repeatedly do the right things… over and over again.
Want more success in your personal and professional life? Focus far more on what you do… and what you do not do. Focus on the habits that you repeat over and over. And on new habits you need to development and solidify in your life by repeating those habits over and over. What you say, what you intend, what you wish, what you plan, what you dream… these are all very important. But far more important… over time and for the rest of your life… is what you repeatedly do!
Aristotle was and is exactly right. You are… we are… we will be… what we repeatedly do!
And now it’s up to you…
