How Much Do Your Actions Define You?

It is not an entirely new concept. We are all aware of how our actions portray us. Whether you act based on reason or based on emotions. Whether you act on what you say or whether you go behind them. Your actions always define you; after all, the image of a man is the product of his actions.

The Oxford Learners’ dictionary defines actions as “the process of doing something in order to make something happen or to deal with a situation.”

It’s quite clear on the onset that actions are activities. They are done by a subject, in a way, on an object and for a purpose. Actions have defining characteristics that specify the manner they take place. That means actions are situational. 

Actions work with time, they work with locations, and also work with reason. It’s kind of like how you wouldn’t scream ‘Goal!’ while you’re at work because your football club managed to score a last-minute goal at the championships cup semi-finals. 

Or why you wouldn’t take yourself out for a fancy dinner if you didn’t have the funds for it. Yes, it might be high time you finally eat something good for a change, but then it does not quite match up with your situation.

While we already understand what actions are and how they work, why exactly do actions define the person performing them? In this case, why would your actions define you? That is because you cannot perform an action without you firstly involved in it. 

You cannot save some money, if you are not interested in saving. You wouldn’t eat if you did not want to. You would not lie, only if you did not want to. I would not write this article if I did not have a reason to. Just like how you would not be read this article if you did not have a reason to. 

It would not matter why you would read this article, until you first start to read it, right? You are always involved in your actions, even before your reasons are considered; this makes it not so much of a mystery that your actions define you.

Understanding that actions are situational and that they define the individual performing the action is one thing. But how much do your actions define you? Well, I would say a lot, but don’t take my word for it. 

So how about this; do you remember the last time you thought a person was rude or bad, because of how poorly they treated you or someone else? Yes, that’s how much their actions shaped them at that moment and also how much it shaped your perception of them. Which brings us to the end; to what degree do your actions define you?

Your actions show how people will perceive you:

Have you noticed that people get to know you from the way you interact with them? People would know if you are trendy just from how you dress. They would gauge how smart you are just from the way you would talk to them. Honestly, never underestimate the mind of another. 

It would surprise you how much people notice about you. I’m well aware of how well I choose to relate with people from how they act. That’s why they say ‘leave a good first impression’ or ‘first impressions matter.’ Your actions speak first before any words do. 

After all, no one would need to go for an interview after submitting that nicely written resume, if that was not the case. It is a good thing to be the person you want people to perceive you to be.

Your actions shape how you think:

Your actions not only speak about you to others, they also speak to you. Do you notice how you start thinking of studying once you start studying or how you’re always tired when you sleep a little too much? Ever noticed how there does not seem to be enough hours of the day when you cannot get your work done? Or you find out that time seems to creep ever so slowly, whenever you are bored out of your mind with nothing to do. That’s because your actions also shape you psychologically. Like how doing good deed makes you happy. It just comes to show how much your actions shape your thoughts.

Your actions shape who you become:

Ever heard the phrase “You are what you repeatedly do”, I cannot say if that phrase is as old as time itself. But it definitely holds true. If your actions can shape your thoughts and how people perceive you, your actions can become you. They become your truth. Doing all your work on time wouldn’t make you procrastinate, not after how convenient you find it to be. You would not become a thief you don’t steal. You would not become a liar if you never lie. You essentially become your actions.

Sometimes becoming who you want might not seem easy, most times, it never does, and it could look like a long and confusing road to follow. That’s where understanding the importance of your actions and how much it defines you comes into play. Just like it’s easier to do one thing at a time, it can be easier to become a better you by your actions.