TED Thursday: The investment of action

Forget about having an identity crisis & get some identity capital. Do something that adds value to who you are. Do something that's an investment in who you might want to be next." - Amy Cuddy

I posted this quote over the weekend. It spoke to me in the sense of moving forward and all of the steps you take to create the person you are, and the person you will become. Your actions are your investment.

A friend commented on the post that Amy had presented a really good TED talk...and after watching it - I totally agree! Thanks Charlotte!

In the talk, Amy speaks on the inverse of the age-old idea that our thoughts influence our actions. While the old adage "happy thoughts make happy lives" makes me grit my teeth sometimes, I understand that if you only dwell on one thing, it can become overwhelming. She chose, however, to look at the inverse. That your actions, the physical way in which you present or carry yourself, affect your thoughts. 

In a non-experiment scenario, read: the real world, this almost feels like a chicken-egg debate. If you're slouching in your seat, is it because you subconsciously don't want to be seen. Or is it because you don't want to be seen that you slouch. Does the person who is confident think confidence and therefore walk taller, or do they walk taller and therefore feel more confident?

Not the point right now.

The point, to me at least, is that actions count. Everything affects everything. Non-actions have an affect too, but what is the investment in your future when you do nothing? Are you creating any future by sitting still? Probably not.

These actions are also, as she mentioned, really good social cues. Especially when words can be so overused and under-meant nowadays - and yes I say that fully aware that my blog could be considered an overuse of words. The thing is, I try my hardest to back my words with actions.

But when people aren't good with words, all you're left with are actions. Your actions, even just the crossing of your arms, the way you sit in a group of people, the nod of a head...they're all social cues to the people around you. And they all affect how those people perceive your intentions and act towards you. Your actions are your investment in your future. They are the possible transaction of value to a better you...or a worse one.

Every day is a transaction. How are you investing in your future?