Do you ever think, if I don’t do anything it won’t matter because it shouldn’t affect anyone?
Do you buy into that silly safety saying if nobody moves, nobody gets hurt? Basically, saying if I play it safe or do my own thing all I have to do is worry about myself.
The “I do me and you do you” mentality.
Can I say this, just because you think you can disconnect yourself from people and believe that no direct contact equals no impact, is a very distorted type of thinking.
All our actions have consequences and that includes our lack of action as well.
I’m a huge advocate for action, impact, maximizing your potential and creating ripple effects. But that’s a blog for another time.
For now, the truth is that not acting has an impact and a ripple effect as well. To choose not to say or do something is to choose a level of impact.
What you don’t do matters!
It’s so easy to take inventory of our actions, follow the sequence and identify whether there were good or bad results from them. I do believe it is maybe more of a difficult task to identify the consequences of what we don’t do and what that may lead to. Though it can be done, and it is a good reflection point and forward thinking point.
As leaders we should be mindful of how we add value and understand that what we don’t do matters. It will change our world, it does not matter what arena we live our lives in, it applies to all. When we understand this in the present, it will save us from saying “I wish I would have” in the future.
Will we make mistakes, will we still not be perfect or acknowledge that we could have done things differently? Of course we will.
The idea here is to learn, grow and minimize some of our struggles and at the very least try not to repeat some of the same failures we have already done.
So I’ll say it again, what you don’t do matters. Don’t let the things you don’t do lead to a negative impact on you or others.
Think before you speak, but also remember that not saying something could be preventing someone from getting wisdom they need to hear.
Not writing that note or email is adding to the lack of communication.
Not attending an event is preventing you from seeing the opportunity you have been wishing for.
Not attending the meeting is robbing you from giving and taking in perspectives that could change the direction of your life.
Choosing not to grow is not keeping you stagnant, it’s moving you backwards slowly.
Not finding solutions is only causing more difficulties.
Not choosing to forgive or look after your mental health is a poison that is growing and creeping into other parts of your life.
Not seeking community is self harming you into isolation and doing long term harm.
Not learning is not equipping you for the future.
Not investing in relationships is stealing away from adding value to others.
Not starting is not planting any seeds at all.
Not throwing the pebble is not creating the ripple in the water.
We can go on forever and I think you all get my point.
Stop right now and reflect. Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying you always have to be doing something.
It can definitely be wise to hold back, but be intentional, on purpose and with wisdom if you do that.
What you don’t do matters, so lets make sure we do what counts to impact our lives and those around us by helping them maximize their potential.
Grow as you go!
Walter Perez – Founder/CEO – The Leader Co. Inc.