Talk is Cheap, Action is Expensive

The other day, I told my wife I wanted to start eating healthier and get my diet back on track. At face value, it’s a pretty normal goal. Pretty much everyone has some goals related to health, diet, and exercise. So, there wasn’t anything particularly unusual about my statement.

Deja Vu

I stopped myself, however, and here’s why: A few weeks earlier, I remember telling my wife the exact same thing: “I’d like to start eating healthier and get my diet back on track.” I realized not much had changed in the last few weeks. I still had the same goal, but my actions and behaviors hadn’t shifted at all. I was still eating the same way.

Talk is Cheap

This is a common problem for people. Talk is cheap. It’s easy to say you want to do this or that. It’s not difficult to set a goal and put it out there. The hard part comes with the follow-through.

Action is Expensive

Action is expensive. To actually change something, it takes discipline and hard work over a long period of time. It isn’t easy. Not many people can do it. But just about all the good things in our lives happen because of our actions.

Focus on Your Actions

Because talk is cheap and action is expensive, I don’t get too caught up in what people say they want to do. Setting goals is fine, and I set goals myself. If setting goals helps you to direct your actions and behaviors in a particular direction, that’s fine. But I would focus 90% of my energy on my actions. What are you doing day in, day out? What does your planner say about your priorities?

Anyone can say they want to get healthier or have a better relationship. But success or failure hinges on our actions. That’s where your focus needs to be.