Any action is better than no action. This was a statement made in reference to current discussions regarding legislating changes to the Federal Reserve and the Securities Commission - the financial Regulatory System.
The statement intrigued me. I have never heard such a statement made in such a context.
I can't speak to economic matters, so perhaps the statement is appropriate. I am not a financial expert or a monetary policy specialist. In fact, economics and associated policies are as clear as mud to me most of the time.
But, I can speak to my own life and how this statement works, or doesn't work as the case may be.
Any action is better than no action.
Personally, the statement makes me squirm. I like action. I like things to be in motion, irons in fires, and dynamic environments. Change is not only appealing but very attractive. Thus, I have lived years of my life using the statement as truth. When something wasn't happening or things were slow, I would make something happen.
At one point I discovered that perhaps there was something to "taking no action."
Even typing that sends shivers up my spine. "Did I just type that?!"
Within a matter of months, my life went from a series of happenings and love of drama to a need to find patience and take no action. One of the most difficult challenges I have faced in my adult life is just that - patience, doing nothing to make something happen, staying... still.
I have actually become quite accustomed (after years of practice and beating my head against very large cement walls) to sitting back and being still. I have learned to follow my instincts and intuition - they always seem to know when the time is "right" for action. Despite my restlessness at times, the end result has been a more content life. (Granted, there are times when I miss that "take action buzz," but...) Now I know when action is required, and that is okay to not act when it is not.
Everything is situational; everything is subjective. These are common ideas and concepts within the social science community. I am guessing that it applies within economics as well. For the man who made the original statement, "Any" action is better than not acting. It is very easy to say that any action is better when that action is vague or doesn't directly effect you. It isn't so easy when you act and then... have to take responsibility for the results (which can be negative)
Ah the lessons we learn as we go through life. Patience is okay. Any action is not, for me, always better than taking no action. Perhaps it is also about timing - the timing of actions are crucial - an action taken at the wrong time could end up having negative outcomes.
To take action or not to take action, that is the question...
And now that I have learned when not to take action in my life at large, I wonder if I can figure out how to "take action" when it comes to meeting the right men!
Intriguing.
5 comments:
I'd disagree with action as the default over inaction.
I do believe in silence unless you are sure. I get in much less trouble, cause less distress and am disliked by less people when I keep my mouth shut. I think the cliche' is use your eyes and ears more than you use your mouth.
There is a time for everything...a time to act and a time to wait. Part of growing up is learning to differentiate the two. Action for the sake of action isn't always the best solution, sometimes it is best to wait for things to fall into place. Ah...how wise we're all getting in our old age!
Dave - My dad always says that it is best to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt!
Ruby - Ah, we are fortunate to be gaining such knowledge... some live generations without learning anything!
Dave (and your dad) has a good point. We often say and do things quickly, and then spend a lot of time mopping up the mess.
As a mom, I have learned to say, "let me think about it" instead of a quick yes or no. He may still get disappointed, but at least it allowed me time to know why I'm saying what I'm saying.
My friend lives by this rule: Don't just do something, stand there.
Allowing ourselves some time to make a move — the right move — or do nothing, is really important.
Except in an emergency, of course ...
The path of actionless action, you have just discovered one of the ancient buddhist teachings, it seems foreighn to us, but done proerly, is imensly powerful, and then another force enters in9as you have experianced) and the action flows from the right space.....but not always so easy to do LOL
Post a Comment