I have been known to say to someone that your “actions speak louder than words.” I had a friend say congratulations to me about something big that was happening to me…but I could tell they didn’t really mean it, both in the tone in which they said it and what came later in their actions were not of a manner that told me they were happy for me.
What we do carries more weight and significance than what we say. This phrase emphasizes that intentions and beliefs are better demonstrated through behavior rather than mere verbal promises. The history of this phrase suggests that it’s easy to make promises or express sentiments verbally, but true character and commitment are revealed through actions.
So how do we align our actions with our words which tell others that we are truly reflecting what we say? A few things that we can do are:
- Assess our values and commitments. Do your actions really reflect what you stand for?
- Set an intention before you make a promise or commitment to someone. Consider whether you have the time to really follow through.
- Focus on manageable actions that align with your words. This will help build consistency.
- Write down your promises and commitment to remain accountable. You can also then track your progress on these commitments.
- Have accountability on what you have committed to by sharing your trust with someone. Keeping up on your progress also keeps you aligned with your words.
- Sometimes you must adjust when you realize that your actions are not matching your words. You may need to apologize and re-commit to the action.
- Mindfulness encourages authenticity in your interactions so be present and aware of your thoughts and feelings to align with your actions.
Finally make sure you celebrate and acknowledge when your actions align with your words. I promise that you will be more authentic and trustworthy in your relationships!
