Inaction is an Action

Hi Friends!

Today, I want to share a recent experience that brought back an important lesson I learned last year. It's funny how life has a way of reminding us of crucial insights through the most unexpected means.

Picture this: I return from my morning run (yes, I'm still keeping up with that habit!) to find the mirror I hung on the wall now lying on the ground. I've always intended to replace that mirror with some nice pictures I've taken, but I never got around to it. Well, it seems the mirror decided to "fall off" for me, forcing my hand.

This incident reminded me of a valuable lesson I learned last year: inaction is an action. Choosing to do nothing is, in fact, a choice. If you don't choose your course of action, someone (or something) else will choose it for you, and it likely won't have your best interests at heart. So, you might as well choose your own action.

Let me share a couple of examples from my dental practice that really drove this point home:

1. Team Conflict: Last year, I noticed growing tension between two team members. Instead of addressing it head-on, I hoped that if I ignored it, it would magically disappear. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

2. Punctuality Issues: I had been making mere suggestions about the importance of being on time, hoping team members would naturally become more punctual. Again, I avoided setting clear expectations and consequences.

In both scenarios, my inaction was the action I took, and both times, the decisions were ultimately made for me, not by me. The consequences? The situations spiraled negatively into more chaos. It was a stark reminder that lowering entropy takes energy, and the natural state of affairs is to descend into a more disordered state.

These experiences taught me that:

1. Addressing issues promptly is crucial: The longer you wait, the more complicated and entangled problems become.

2. Clear communication and expectations are key: Hoping for change without setting clear guidelines rarely works.

3. Sometimes, making any decision is better than no decision: Even if it's not perfect, taking action allows you to learn and adjust.

4. Proactive leadership often prevents bigger problems: By taking initiative, you can often nip issues in the bud before they grow.

Now, when I notice myself avoiding a decision or putting off an action, I try to pause and ask myself: "What will happen if I do nothing? Am I okay with that outcome?" If the answer is no, then it's time to act.

I'm curious about your experiences. Have you ever faced consequences from inaction? How do you push yourself to make decisions when you're tempted to avoid them? As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights!

Until next time, remember: inaction is an action.
Choose wisely!

Kevin Ng

P.S. Sometimes, the mirror falling off the wall is just the wake-up call we need. What's your "falling mirror" telling you to address in your life or business?