3 Key Signs: The Difference Between Motion and Action

Do you ever have those days where you're constantly busy, but at the end of the day, you feel like you haven't accomplished anything substantial? If so, you might be falling into the common pitfall of mistaking motion for action. It's a subtle difference that can significantly affect your productivity and how you achieve your goals. In this post, we'll explore three signs that indicate you're mistaking motion for action.

1. Overplanning as a Form of Procrastination

The first sign is overplanning. You might be a fan of creating to-do lists, timelines, and spreadsheets. Getting organised is, of course, a good thing, but it can become a problem when it turns into a form of procrastination. If you spend more time planning than actually doing, you're mistaking motion (the planning) for action (the doing). You may feel productive because you've created a detailed plan, but if you rarely stick to what you've planned to do, you're not making real progress. It's crucial to strike a balance between planning and doing.

2. Accumulating Gear Without Using Them

The second sign is the impulsive accumulation of gear or resources that you think you 'need' to achieve your goals. For instance, you might purchase a kettlebell for your fitness goals, an air fryer for your healthy eating goals, or a book for your self-improvement goals. But, if these items just gather dust and you never actually use them, you're engaging in motion without action. Buying the gear gives an illusion of progress, but the real action comes when you use these tools to work towards your goals.

3. Using Learning as a Form of Procrastination

The third sign is using learning as a form of procrastination. It's common to think that if you just take one more course, read one more book, or acquire one more certification, THEN you'll be ready to crack on with achieving your goal. While continuous learning is indeed important, it should not be used as an excuse to delay action. Remember, acquiring knowledge is motion, and applying that knowledge is action. Don't let your quest for learning become a barrier to your progress.

In conclusion, recognising the difference between motion and action is an essential part of developing resilience habits. It's easy to fall into patterns of overplanning, accumulating unused gear, or continuously learning without application. But remember, real progress comes from action, not just motion. So, the next time you find yourself falling into these patterns, stop and ask yourself: "Am I engaging in motion or am I taking action?"

About The Author

Caroline Dakin

Caroline is our Head of Learning & Development and the founder and owner of Caroline Dakin Associates. Her thought-provoking leadership development programs and workplace resilience courses help businesses across the globe to build high-performing teams. Her unique and interactive delivery style encourages participants to question their leadership qualities and challenges them to, not only reach but surpass their potential. Backed up by neuroscience and supplemented with practical tools, techniques and resources, her training inspires action and change for a better, more resilient workplace. Caroline is also an accomplished speaker and can be found sharing her unique take on resilience at corporate leadership events, national awareness days, industry conferences, and educational seminars.