Intentions vs. Actions, Knowing What To Do, How to Frame Advice on Success

Intentions vs Actions

A Thought

Your character is not judged by your intentions but by the actions you take (or don't take).

Our intentions reflect our hearts, but our actions reflect our character.

Have you ever been asked to do something and your response was, "Yeah, I was planning to do that" or, "I was just getting to it"?

The harsh reality is that no matter how good your intentions are, you will often be judged by the actions you took (or didn't take).

(There are times when you genuinely can't get something done, but if your default response is, "I was going to...", you might want to address that.)

A Truth

We judge ourselves by our intentions but the world judges us by our actions.

An Action

What can I do to close the gap between my intentions and my actions?

How can I better communicate my intentions, so that my actions are not misjudged?

Knowing What To Do

A Thought

Knowing what to do often comes from developing an outsider's view.

Knowing what to do next in our lives can be difficult because we are too invested and concerned about the outcomes. When it comes to offering advice to others, we usually know what to do because we have an outsider's perspective on the problem and potential solutions.

A Truth

The chances of you finding a solution dramatically increase when you separate yourself from the problem.

An Action

What advice would I give someone else?

What would someone else do if they were in my shoes?

How to Frame Advice on Success

A Thought

If you are to take advice on how to become successful, look out for principles and not experiences. After drawing out the principles, look at what you have and don't have, and then act accordingly.

A Truth

The principles of success are generally the same, but experiences vary. Advice is often subjective but the principles are both objective and subjective. People give advice based on their experiences but what is applicable in one case may not be applicable in another.

If you work hard and know how to network but are poor at managing relationships, the key to your success is managing relationships well.

The issue is that when you are next asked how to become successful, you will probably say, "Hard work, networking and managing relationships (emphasizing on the last factor)." These principles are objectively true, but they might be subjectively wrong.

Hard work, networking, and managing relationships may be keys to one person's success but they do not apply to everyone.

The issue is not in the advice but in knowing how to frame it. In your collection of advice on success, listen objectively but apply the principles subjectively.

An Action

When taking advice, is my focus more on the principles or personal experiences?

What do I have and what do I lack?

What one thing can I start working on today to ensure my success tomorrow?