Don’t Tell Me, Show Me

It’s time we speak less and DO more.

We show people what we care about by our actions, not pontificating about what might be, what we will do someday, what we think or what we feel.  Sure those are all valid things to share but at the end of the day they don’t move the needle.

The first time I remember hearing this phrase I was talking about some big idea I had about a lawn business and making so much money I would be able to buy any car I wanted.  I was 9 years old.

Doc (my dad) would sit politely and listen and then look me straight in the eye and say…

Michael, don’t tell me, show me!

It stopped me.  It remind me that all the talking in the world wouldn’t get anything accomplished. In fact it takes up your most valuable asset, your time.

As it did most things it took real experiences where I did more talking than doing for this advice to really sink in.

Taking action moves others, it inspires people to join you where you are and venture together.  Think about it, when is the last time someone ran a marathon alone, started a business without help (or a client), got anyone to follow them into battle without charging up the hill first.  At some point they had to stop talking and start moving before anything happened.

The challenge Doc gave me is pertinent to us all…”don’t tell me, show me”.  It’s time we spend less hours talking and spend our effort DOing more.