What does it mean to have a bias for action?
These days, many people express themselves in terms of their principles or their core values, but what about our biases?
This topic came to mind while observing the differences between those who settle for the status quo and those who truly excel. I came to the realization that what sets the leaders apart from the pack is their ability to decide, plan, and set things into motion. This ability comes from a deeply rooted and subconsciously engrained instinct to make choices with a bias towards action.
So what is this bias all about?
Well, think about someone you know who may come to you with all of the things they wish were different in their lives or all of the ways they’ve become overwhelmed with their current situation. Does this person ever do anything to overcome their challenges or do they allow things to continuously get worse? If they are taking actions to overcome their challenges, you could say they have a bias for action — otherwise, they’re just complaining.
Why is this bias so important?
On the surface level, actions are the only known tools we have as humans for getting anything done. Ok, this is basic, right? So, having this action as a bias means that acting, achieving, and getting things done becomes our default behavior — so much so, that it happens naturally.
But, how do we actually arrive at this bias if we don’t already possess it?
It’s pretty simple, actually. Practice.
It’s not the worst thing in the world to falter while beginning to develop your bias. That’s only natural, but what could work as one of the first decisions and actions taken toward your own bias for action, is to continue trying and deciding to become mindfully aware of your decision making process to the extent that you can understand your own natural defaults and biases. You’ll eventually notice when your actual decisions are being made, and at that point you can begin to intercede with new behaviors that override those old behaviors (or non-actions) that got you nowhere. Replace those old behaviors with constructive actions, no matter how small, and you’ll begin to see things looking up. You’ll accomplish more than you ever thought possible.
