It’s not always about doing something. Sometimes it’s best to do nothing, like reacting in anger when someone instigates you.
It may even be counterproductive in some circumstances.
Your actions often define your personality, attitudes, perceptions; in short, they define your life. That’s how people see and think about you.
But there’re many actions that you haven’t done, non-actions that have gone unnoticed.
These choices have the power to influence your lives, and create impact positively in more than one ways. Mastering them can lead you in the right direction.
By not doing something, or not choosing to do it, you’ve displayed your strength of character, your self-control, your mindful restrain. And that deserves attention and applause.
You’ve shown that you’re aware and conscious about your decisions. This is a definite sign that you’re on the right path, leading to personal growth, success and peace.
There are 5 areas in your life that need you to walk away from without giving in to the temptation of doing something.
1. Don’t Indulge in Distractions
You’ve to admit, the distractions are sprouting like mushrooms on the moist and damp grounds. And the worst of them, the social media, is irresistible.
It’s no secret that avoiding distractions can lead to productivity and focus.
Question is ARE YOU DOING IT?
It’s easier said than done. I only recently discovered that there’s a timer option on Instagram which switches off the app after the set time limit. (My defence – I’m a little challenged when it comes to social media apps and that’s the excuse for the delayed knowledge acquisition!)
I’ve set it to the minimum time of 15 minutes. So even if I get caught in the spell, it stops after the 15 minutes. It’s like snapping out of its hold.
It has stopped me from spending unrestricted time dead-scrolling, instead of utilising that time for something more worthwhile.
I recently read something by Dan Koe which was spot on.
“The 2 hours you spend scrolling each day on your phone (or 730 hours each year) could have produced a book, a business, or a body you don’t currently have.” Wow!!
Try it. It’s worth the go.
2. The Toxic People You Don’t Engage
Please. They are the easiest people to find since their tribes seems to be growing rather rapidly.
It’s a sign of their deteriorating mental wellbeing. It could be the offshoot of the stressful lives they lead. Or the kind of people they’re surrounded by.
But someone’s stressed out mental state is no excuse to dump all that negativity on others around.
Like storm clouds that never clear, toxic people cast a pall of melancholy over your life. Don’t stand in their rain.
So, detach. Disengage. Move away from such people.
Set clear boundaries for who you let in to your lives. Eliminate the toxic, negative influences.
To ensure you’ve the right mindset, make sure to surround yourself with people who share your positive attitudes, are supportive and bring energy to your social circle.
3. The Opportunities You Turn Down
It’s all about proving you can do it. There’s a mad rush to show and be seen doing more. Doesn’t matter if it’s pushing you to the edge or driving you to exhaustion.
Don’t fall for that trap. Resist the relentless pull of the rat race. Be calm and choose wisely. Not every opportunity is appropriate for you. Let it go if you feel so.
FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out, can be your undoing. We all have colleagues who jump at every opportunity, say yes to everything. And you’ve seen what happens to them, right?
Stretched to the point that they can’t do justice to any of the tasks. All their effort to impress the powers to be backfires, leaving them burnt and with corroded credibility. Not worth it.
If you think carefully and choose which opportunities to act upon, you’ll be able to focus better on them, improving your outcomes.
Learning to say No and walking away from the tempting opportunities that don’t align with your long term goals needs you to be clear in your thinking and confident about your decisions.
4. The Bad Relationships You Leave
Unhealthy relationships are like the dementors; they can suck the life out of you.
Whether family, or friends or colleagues, beware of such people. Toxic people drain your energy. Recognise them early and scoot. They’re like the millstone around your neck, dragging you down towards everything negative.
Dealing with them needs you to break their spell and take (rapid) steps away from them.
The more you engage with them, whether out of sympathy or necessity, the worse it gets.
This is the action you don’t have to take, to give in to them.
Prioritise your happiness, your mental wellbeing, your self-worth. Focus on healing and healthier connections.
5. The Fights You Walk Away From
It takes more courage to walk away from a fight than to stay put in most situations (though not always).
Choose your battles carefully.
If it makes better sense to stand your ground, do it. But if it feels that it’s better to let go, then follow your instincts and walk away.
This shows your developed emotional intelligence, your ability to handle conflicts, and your clarity of thought.
Michelle Obama’s “When they go low, we go high” philosophy describes this situation. It’s about “finding purpose in your rage”.
Let the bullies jeer at you, pass insinuating comments. Let people find something to ridicule you about.
Ignore. Walk away like the elephant with the pack of barking dogs around. Nonchalant. Unaffected. Confident.
Choosing peace over unnecessary battles, inaction over action, is a mark of personal growth and wisdom. It leads to success showing you as an evolved person.
Conclusion
The ability to not react or do something as per expectations comes from being self-disciplined.
It’s sure sign of personal growth. It’s about not wasting precious personal resources like your time, energy or effort in unfruitful activities.
Personal growth isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about what you choose not to do. The power of non-action, when applied mindfully, shapes your resilience, discipline and a stronger sense of self.
If you can consciously practice not taking actions under such circumstances, then you’re on the way to success, growth and inner peace, a la Master Shifu!