In short: doing is more compelling, it forces you to make sense of your logic and apply it within a real life scenario, focuses attention, encourages discipline, it makes good use of time, and you learn from it.
So why is it so hard to make the connection between talking and doing?
- We should get together some time...
- Give me a call...
- I'll follow up...
- It would be neat to do something with that idea...
What do all these statements have in common?
They are generic would-if- I-should, some-time, someone-, something- kind of statements.
Refreshing for your breath, yet neither ambitious nor doable.
They lack definition and are devoid of potential.
Closing the gap between promise made and promise kept
Same calls to action, different intent.
- Let's get together Tuesday at 2pm at Splendid coffee shop.
- Call me next Thursday between 1-3pm EST at (insert number).
- How about I send you a note in two weeks with a list of items we agreed to review and an outline of the proposal?
- I will deliver a high level approach on how we would go about executing that idea, including ballpark budgets and resources needed by end of day Friday
Notice anything different about this second set of statements besides their specificity? Try saying the first set and then saying the second set.
You have a different stance when you commit to doing.
Operate at that level long enough, and you will find you can deliver with confidence.
Keep closing the gap between the promises you make and those you keep, and you build credibility. Which in turn feeds your reputation and gives you the ability to make better promises.
It's not different for teams, or businesses.
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Valeria is an experienced listener. She is also frequent speaker at conferences and companies on a variety of topics. To book her for a speaking engagement click here.