You know when you see a traffic jam up ahead, so you quickly react and take the first exit?
Whew. Still moving
Except…it takes twice as long to get where you’re going than if you’d just stayed the course.
That’s your bias for action at play.
Rather than risk standing still for even a minute, you make extra work for yourself because you value action over inaction. At any cost.
Too often, I see people glorify this bias for action. I used to do it, too.
We’re practically hardwired to believe that action – any action – is better than inaction.
Inaction means you’ve given up and don’t care anymore, right?
Well, in many situations, that couldn’t be more wrong.
So why is action for the sake of action valued so highly?
For one thing, a lot of us work in environments where slowing down to make evaluations and course corrections is seen as a waste of time.
Keep moving! Keep doing! Never stop!
We’re practically hardwired to believe that action – any action – is better than inaction.
But this is our automated response that’s based on impulse. Not logic.
And just as action is positive, it can also be negative – a big ol’ waste of time. Since action is the automatic reaction, it happens before you consider all the information, which can lead down some very ineffective roads.
Instead of leaning into our innate need to DO, I suggest leaning into a more intentional need to create an impact.
Making an impact is more important than simply remaining busy.
React less.
Respond more.
Prioritize a bias for impact over a bias for action.
🥭