What’s More Important: Who You Are or What You Do?
Lately I’ve been going through a change of heart. They say that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but only that you tried. I don’t believe this anymore.
I don’t want the doctor to just “try” and heal me from a life-threatening illness, I need the doctor to succeed! My bank will not accept that I “tried” to pay my credit card bills, my payments must be timely received or else my credit score gets affected. For these types of cases, simply having the intention will not make up for the failure to deliver.
This line of reasoning is making me think more results-oriented and focus more on the bottom line. It also got me to ask myself a more fundamental question: is it who you are or what you do that really matters?
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
Let me clarify my belief on trying - it’s definitely important to try. Success can only happen as a result from trying. I just think that winning should not be completely devalued. I believe that intent manifests into action, and action leads to success. The right intention doesn’t always produce the right action, and also, the right action doesn’t always produce success. However, if you repeat the right actions over time you will eventually achieve success. Likewise, your accomplishments over time will ultimately reveal your character. This statement is important - who you are will ultimately be revealed by your achievements. Do you know anyone that thinks they’re a nice person but their actions show they’re not so nice?
Can You Believe the Facade?
What about the people that do things for show? The ones that don’t act with sincerity but instead for the sake of their public image? A good example are the politicians that visit soup kitchens and inform reporters well ahead of time to maximize the PR opportunity. If one is conniving enough, one can effectively shape their public image, which may not necessarily be consistent with their true self.
Ask the Right Question
As I asked myself these questions, I came to the conclusion that I was not asking the right questions. There are two questions here. First, is who you are or what you do that matters with respect to public perception? Second, what is the answer with respect to the Truth? Sometimes the Truth can be openly seen and the public perception is the same, but in many instances they are not.
You can choose which question is most important for yourself, but I chose to answer the question with respect to the Truth. In my humble opinion, intent leads to action which then leads to achievements. Over time, if I honestly assess my achievements and they’re not consistent with my beliefs, then I was delusional and I am not who I thought I was. Others may or may not see all that I’ve done, but I would know and that’s how I keep myself accountable.
Can You Judge a Story Before It’s Over?
I also believe that the record must be long enough to make a good judgment. Looking at a small snapshot can be misleading. In fact, I don’t even consider looking at my life history to be sufficient to judge me. I’m not done yet! My story is still being written - you can’t judge a book before you finish reading the ending. Likewise, there are many stories going on with me now, and even more that I have not yet started, which brings me back to full circle. Who I am might already be defined, but I also care about who I want to be. My beliefs, values, and goals will continually manifest itself into actions and achievements, and if I continue to act with integrity, then who I will be will become consistent with who I want to be.
Al,
I admit, I had to read your blog three times before I got a good feel of what the REAL issues are that you’re questioning.
I guess your last paragraph kind of sets it all out - not only is your story still being written, but your life still has so much room for further experience that “the cover on your book” isn’t even completely drawn, nor is book anywhere near complete!
Why is it so important that the repetition of good actions, based on good intentions, results in success? What type of success? Should not good intentions, followed by good actions each time be considered a “moral success?”
If I understand your point, that who you are is based on your achievements, I humbly must disagree - unless you are an obituary writer for a newspaper. I believe that who you are IS based on your efforts - how can one learn what success is and how to appreciate it - without taking into account efforts at which you fail, but learn from your failures? Do those experiences NOT have a large place in the “Book of Al?” If you experience a “success” that is not consistent with your beliefs, must you always dismiss the “success” without re-evaluating if, perhaps, your “beliefs” are not what you really want or thought them to be? Perhaps beliefs can evolve…do they have to be so rigid?
Al, please don’t misunderstand. I truly am NOT trying to be critical of your thought process, and I offer my apologies if that is the way my comments are coming off. I feel, however, that you are being particularly harsh on yourself. Do I know you? No, not really. I know you by what you write on your blogs and the comments of others’. The kind, thoughtful Al that I have come to know from your words, seems to be “beating upon” an Al I guess I don’t know.
I’d be quite interested to know if there was a particular incident that required this level of self-reflection. Personally, I see you as an honest person, who expresses himself in a kind and interesting manner.
Rita
Rita’s last blog post: MY NOVEL IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!
I think that “who you are” and “what you do” should eventually become the same, if you’re honest and act according to your true values and beliefs.
Vered - MomGrind’s last blog post: Quirky, Yet Boring
Al,
First of all, I LOVED this post. Deep, profound, honest, big — this is the stuff that really engages me. I could sense your passion and sincerity. An honest wrestling with life’s big questions. It was a pleasure to read, and it made me think. Like Rita, I had to read it several times, and mull over for a few minutes.
>who you are will ultimately be revealed by your achievements.
I agree with that, mostly. What we do ought to be a reflection of who we are.
But I think where we must tread carefully (and if I’m not mistaken, this is where Rita had issues as well) is tying what you DO with what COMES OUT of what you do.
>intent leads to action which then leads to achievements
I follow you on the first two, but if I understand achievements as the desirable outcomes of your actions, then I would have to add “hopefully.”
You are right that results matter in many circumstances. That said, many outcomes are simply outside of our control, no matter what we do.
You are right that you don’t want your doctor to fail you. But what can guarantee that it will absolutely NEVER happen? All the best practices in the world still cannot guarantee 100% success rate. It’s a risk we ought to take, and we ought to learn to live with.
And thus, I would rather not live by the notion that who I am is defined by the outcomes of my actions. Not necessarily.
>if I honestly assess my achievements and they’re not consistent with my beliefs, then I was delusional and I am not who I thought I was.
I’m going to go off on an assumption here, and let me ask you a question using a hypothetical situation. Correct me if I’m going off in a wrong direction.
For example, let’s say I am a musician. A singer/songwriter. But hard as I try to write great songs and perform them with the best of my ability, people don’t seem to appreciate it. Most of the feedback says that I’m not a good singer. I practice, take lessons — to no avail. Some simply tell me that I don’t have “it.”
All along, I thought I was meant to be is a singer/songwriter. I love singing and writing songs with all my heart. But my achievements are not following.
Should I change who I am then, and decide that I am not a singer/songwriter?
What do you think?
ari
Ari Koinuma’s last blog post: Setbacks: Growth Is Not a Linear Curve
@Ari,
Yes, you are absolutely correct in where I had some difficulties in trying to reconcile what Al is stating.
Also, your “musician” example is a good illustration of the necessity to have flexibility in your beliefs. I would extend that as well to moral beliefs: as we grow older, occasionally our values must be re-examined for flexibility. The perfect time for that, for example, is when one has children, and must pass-along beliefs that are appropriate for changing times and experiences.
Thank you,
Rita
Hi Al: I think it’s be, do, and have. What you do depends on who you are, and what you achieve depends on what you do. I see you’ve been doing a lot of introspection lately
Marelisa’s last blog post: 20 Ways to Raise Your IQ
Hi Rita,
First let me apologize for writing a post that was a little difficult to follow. I think I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly. Thank you also for being patient and re-reading the article to figure out what I was trying to say!
You caught on that I was being hard on myself. I actually appreciate that character trait since that means I set high standards for myself. This article didn’t stem from a specific event, but simply an accumulation over time of a lot of littler events.
I also used words like “achievement” and “success”, and particularly for this post it’s important for me to clarify. To me, “achievement” is something real, something tangible, and “success” is when you achieve a particular goal. I would agree that one can have moral success based on effort rather than on results. However, sometimes we cannot use arbitrary metrics of success and instead must use specific tangible goals. I should have been specific by making a point that I was concerned with the latter (specific tangible goals).
Rita, I really like the points you’ve made, but it’s 2:54 AM now and I can’t think straight anymore
. I’ll try to finish my response tomorrow.
Al,
Please understand - I am in NO WAY criticizing what you wrote! Far from it: I believe your words show a level of self- awareness and self-reflection seldom seen in a blog.
What I am trying to do is to understand what appears to me to be an element of self-flagellation in your words. The words are amazingly put-together, and this apparently took a LOT OF TIME AND AWARENESS TO WRITE. It’s not that your blog was “difficult to follow,” per se, it’s that I’d like to make sure I UNDERSTAND what you are saying.
That is my deficiency, not yours!
Regards,
Rita
Hi Vered - you summed up in just a few words what I was trying to say in my long ramble!
Hi Mare - you also succinctly summed up my long ramble! “What” comes from the “who” in us. This idea took a little while for me to realize.
Hi Rita, Ari,
I wanted to combine my response because I believe it’s relevant to both of your comments. (First let me say Rita that I took no offense at all with what you wrote - in fact, I want to thank you!).
The example of the musician who struggles to achieve success… I think we must understand what the metrics of success is for this example. If the musician wants to write good music that is commercially successful, then yeah the musician is not succeeding. However, if the musician’s definition of success is to write music that *she* loves, irregardless of how well it’s received by the general public, then success happens simply when the musician is satisfied with her own work. She will look back at her body of work and she will have to be the ultimate critic.
I think another key aspect is that one needs to look at a large collection of work to define someone. For the aspiring musician, only looking at the results of a few songs is typically not enough to say whether the musician is good or not. However, if the musician continually tries to grow and improve, then good music will eventually result. The musician might be avante-garde and not even be appreciated during her lifetime, but that’s the fault of the listeners and not the musician
Hello Al:
This is my first visit to your site. I am very happy I came here. This article is very deep in philosophy and concepts like this get my juices flowing. I have read this post two times now and I think like Rita, I may have to come back to it again and again, because the concepts are quite involved. The writing is clear but I need to grasp the underlying ideas better. What really got me is when you say that your (our ) life story is still being written and so how can we judge now. I tell you, this is a fabulous site. And I am still only in the first article. Thank you, Sir.
Hi Al - I’m with Vered too. But I know what you’re saying - especially re: many politicians - who they are tends to be nowhere near to what they do.
I like how you’ve explained not judging a story before it’s over - that is definitely true. I would hate to be judged on just one part of my life that I’d screwed up on.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post: 6 Favourite Places To Have Fun Online
Al,
Now that I have a better understanding of how you differentiate “achievement” from “success,” going back and reading what you wrote makes a tremendous difference to my understanding. I still believe you are being a bit harsh with yourself, but given that this post got Ari and me to AGREE on something is both achievement AND success!
Thanks for the clarification…I wish I could have seen it as easily as others did, but I guess I DID need that further clarification.
@and Ari, we’re cool!
Rita
PS - Al, though many people achieve post-mortem success, some people must question whether the talent they BELIEVE they have is really talent at all. I’m not saying they’re NOT talented, only that they should be willing to QUESTION their self-perception.
Rita’s last blog post: MY NOVEL IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!
AL,
FYI - THIS PIOLO DUDE IS A PORNOGRAPHER WHO SEEMS TO BE GOING DOWN SHE LIST OF SOMEBODY’S COMMENTERS.
Your site, your decision, but PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.
R.
Rita’s last blog post: MY NOVEL IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!
Hi there Al - I have a few thoughts on the ideas in this post, if I may share them.
My reaction to your title is that who we are is more important than what we do - e.g. many people define themselves by things like their job, then they lose a lot of self esteem if they lose their job. True self esteem comes from something deeper than a job, even if the job is somthing we want to do.
I think we get to know who we are by following our intuition over a long period of time, and having a feel for how things work out if we do that. For example, we might take up an occupation that pays very little money, knowing we MUST do it. If this eventually leads to substantial money (or some other great benefit), we develop a deep confidence that we know ourselves (this has happened to me).
My experience is that “success” and “achievements” become secondary to simply getting on with my interests, if I focus on following and trusting my intuition. If someone thinks I am successful, that’s nice, but it’s simply not what interests me (now… it hasn’t always been like that!)
Lastly, I don’t think judgement is ever good, in any circumstances. As you pointed out, we just don’t have all the information. I think we need to be discerning if we are making a descion about whether to become involved with a person or thing, but there is an intuitive element to that - our judgements are not alway correct.
Thanks - see you!
Robin’s last blog post: Think And It Shall Be So
I don’t know what is more interesting ? the post or the discussion about the topic on hand.
every thing on this page is so interesting, i am confused what should i write about (post or comments? ) it looks like every one wants to convey the same fact but have choose different approach for it. that makes this post even more interesting
Sunil Pathak’s last blog post: Let These Plugins Help You Build Community On Your Blog
@Raj: Thanks for the very generous feedback about the article. Hope to see you around some more!
@Cath: Agreed, judging before the story is finished would be a mistake. Like in a story or a movie, the setbacks and obstacles are merely setups for future success.
@Rita: I had to laugh when you mentioned you finally agreed with Ari
. Regarding the point you made about needing to question your self-perception, I wholeheartedly agree. I think it’s valuable when people ignore your work or even when they shower you with praises. It’s real hard to be objective with our own work, but sometimes we are the best judge of ourselves. (PS: Thanks for the tip about the spammer.)
@Robin: Thanks for the feedback because it brings up an excellent point. Too many people use their profession to define who they are. In fact, I often find myself asking new people I meet, “So what do you do?” as if it gives me insight into them as a human being. When I make the argument that what we do defines who we are, it was basically to emphasize the old saying, “action speaks louder than words.” I really like how you talk about pursuing your intuition which allows us to be consistent with what we do and who we are. Without that harmony it would be difficult to be happy and content.
@Sunil: Yeah, I really enjoyed the well thought-out comments! The feedback from people is what really makes blogs special!
Hi Al,
I like your statement of how actions speak louder than words. We often say, “He/she walks their talk”. (But sometimes they don’t). To me that says a lot about ones character.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post: Open Mic - The Need For Speed
I like it when you said “My story is still being written - you can’t judge a book before you finish reading the ending.” It shows that there is more about You waiting to be discovered. Hopefully this site will be around for a long time so that your readers can learn more about your journey
Evelyn Lim’s last blog post: An Enchanting Vision From My Angels
I think the “who you are” vs. “what you do” changes as you grow up. As a young person I did things whether or not they were in line with my values and upbringing (i.e. off the top of my head, underage drinking). Never gave it a second thought — just did it because it felt good, or “all of my friends” were doing it.
As I matured I learned that my outward actions truly do reflect “who I am” and are now in much better alignment with my inner belief systems. So, at this point in my life, they can’t really be separated at all. I have a feeling you are working your way to this same place, Al.
And what about the old adage that says “Actions speak louder than words.” It’s easy to give lip service to ideas, but can you back it up with your behavior?
WHEW! Okay, this is great, and actually needs a face to face discussion over coffee, or even better a beer! I am having espresso, so we are half way there. I think I’m with Marelisa and Vered on this one. My gut reaction to your post title was if I behave openly and honestly, then what I do is an expression of who I am. Even when I do a half-assed job, it expresses who I am. For example, lately I have not been doing a very good job at work, because I have discovered who I am is NOT an IT project manager. Do I feel badly that I am not doing a really good job? Yes! Because who I am is also a conscientious person. Yup, too hard to discuss this fully in a comment section, so I’ll quit here. Good one, Al!
Urban Panther’s last blog post: The chairdrobe defines my life
I kind of think what you do IS who you are.
Over time, if I honestly assess my achievements and they’re not consistent with my beliefs, then I was delusional and I am not who I thought I was.
I think deep down inside, even though I agree with the statement above, we can’t fool ourselves…unless our conscious has become callous…when I assess my achievements and they are not consistent with my beliefs, I know this…I already know I not as great a person as I think I am. My conscious tells me I can front for the public, but inside, I know.
have you been following me, Al?
not sure if i’m on the same page here.
Natural’s last blog post: Butt-to-Gutt Ratio Gone Wild
Hi Al - what a terrific post! I am usually a ’scanner’ and you had me reading every word.
The one thing that really got me nodding was when you asked, “What about the people that do things for show? The ones that don’t act with sincerity but instead for the sake of their public image?”
Some of the nastiest hypocrites I have ever met were doing everything for show…but underneath they were terrible humans.
Al,
What Mark said. Last sentence. YES.
Rita
Rita’s last blog post: Sunday Shout-Out
Very engaging post Al.
“who you are will ultimately be revealed by your achievements.”
Some achievements happen within your mind and soul. Being humble of spirit, and appreciating the good in times that are challenging speaks volumes to who you are as a person. Yet, has nothing to do with monetary success.
Either way, I think you touched on both aspects in this post and that is part of why I find it so interesting.
I really like how you underscore that you can’t judge someone until it’s over. You know, that is just so true.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post: The Stain Demon Can and Will Taint Your Life
No one will ever remember you after you’re dead for the hobbies you had, or your other winning characteristics - only what you did for other people.
Look at every memorable person that is celebrated through history and you’ll see this is what the ultimate value is.
Hey Al,
> If the musician wants to write good music that is commercially successful, then yeah the musician is not succeeding. However, if the musician’s definition of success is to write music that *she* loves, irregardless of how well it’s received by the general public, then success happens simply when the musician is satisfied with her own work. She will look back at her body of work and she will have to be the ultimate critic.
Right on. But as I was mulling over this over the weekend, I realized that there is even more to what you were saying (which was what I was hoping you’d say ;-))
Indeed, in this context, the “achievement” the musician is after OUGHT to be on making music he/she feels proud of. And that is indeed an internal, only-you-yourself-can-judge metrics. And this is an attainable goal by working purely within oneself, honing his/her craft, removing illogical negative self-image, and so on.
But like you said, if achievements are defined as tangible outcomes, one should still pursue them and hold oneself accountable for successes or failures. True, we don’t have control over outcomes — but we do have influences. It has a danger to be a cop-out for this musician, for example, to just write self-serving songs in his/her own bedroom and never show it to people, saying “I’m only doing this for my satisfaction.” Well, if that is truly his/her goal I suppose that is valid. But I find it so unlikely. Most artists know that they have responsibility to their creations to share them with the world. Not doing so is a disservice to their creations.
Most starving artists USUALLY remain so not because the world did about-face on them even when they produced the best art they could and promoted them with in a fully committed manner. Most of them fail to do so because either they are not fully developed as artists or because they have road blocks between them and tangible successes.
So, actually, I am starting to see the connection between inner identity and external results. Meaning, they should match (like you originally said) but more importantly, one should not necessarily let go of intentions to achieve tangible, real-world success. He/she may die trying without achieving it, so their sense of self-worth shouldn’t depend on it. But that said, making music and saying it’s OK if nobody likes it or listens to it is a cop-out.
I’m not sure if I’m saying it right, but it’s been fun to wrap my head around this. Thanks again for a thoughtful post.
ari
Ari Koinuma’s last blog post: Setbacks: Growth Is Not a Linear Curve
Al, like Robin I thought the title of tis post was going to mean you talked about jobs and whether they define us. I don’t think our jobs necessarily have much to say about who we are. I know lots of people whose work is not linked to their great life passions.
But reading this a couple of times I can really see the thought processes you have been going through, and I agree our actions area vital part of showing who we are. We are the sum of our intentions and our actions. They are both important. I think LOVE is a good example of this. Don’t tell me you love me then ignore or devalue my needs and opinions with your next breath. Unloving actions make declarations of love worthless.
I think Marelisa summed it up very well. Be. Do. have. It all flows on from each other and yes, your story is most definitely still being written.
Stumbled.
Kelly
@Barbara: Walk the talk… exactly my point! If our talk isn’t consistent with our walk, then we should reexamine things.
@Evelyn: I’m hoping to have this site up for people to follow my journey. In particular, I think it would be great for my future kids to read what their dad blogged about at a younger age!
@Linda: That’s a great point about younger people not necessarily behaving consistently with their values. For me, it helped me to be less dogmatic and be more practical, otherwise I’d be a hypocrite. Unfortunately for some, that kind of behavior doesn’t go away with age
@Urban Panther: Wow, that’s incredible what you shared. I believe that when one finds out that the job doesn’t suit them well, it’s actually a good thing since it answers why there might be some issues with work. This is a question that oftentimes is hard to answer. Definitely a conversation to have over coffee (or beer!).
@Natural: I think we are on the same page. The remark you said stood out though: “I’m not as great a person I think I am.” In general, people are actually harder on themselves than they should be. I try to tell myself, “I’m indeed a good person, but I better not forget I got areas to improve.”
@Mark: Hear, hear! Hypocrisy is one of the least appealing characteristics in my opinion. I can tolerate a nasty person much more than a nasty person that tries to put up a false front.
@Rita: Ditto all the way
@Bamboo: Absolutely agreed - how one reacts under challenging times reveal their true character. It’s misleading to only look at the partial story.
@DanGTD: That’s the truth, isn’t it? What we do is what will stand the test of time.
Hi Ari,
I follow your logic. The musician should focus on making good music and not worry about uncontrollable things such as market success, and if the musician hones her skills to make the music good, then there would be consistency with inner identity and external results. I also see your other point - music (like most works of art) is meant to be shared, and to not share it would be a cop-out.
I’m a tech-person so I can also relate all this to technology. Sometimes the better inventions do not succeed in the marketplace (for example Windows vs. Ubuntu), but other uncontrollable factors usually come into play. Usually this means a few die-hard tech fans might appreciate the technology, but the rest of mainstream do not choose it. I think the validation from the niche tech fans is validation of its value, irregardless of the lack of market share.
Hi Kelly,
Your example of love is an excellent one - if we truly love someone, our actions would be consistent with our words. Unloving actions reveal the truth with where the love is.
Thanks for the stumble also!
@Al - you mean my comment was actually coherent? *grin*
Hi Al,
What’s More Important: Who You Are or What You Do? I don’t mean to waffle but they are both extremely vital. Over time, like many have said, we become the net results of our actions. Even though we would like to be remembered for our intentions - actions do count for more.
That said if forced to select one I’d have to select who we are. It all starts at the core. Who we are determines the actions that we choose. Once we’ve reached the age of reason, roughly 9-12 years old, our values are set and they influence our actions.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work’s last blog post: I’m Not Ready Yet
Sometime it isn’t what you do, but what you don’t do. Sometimes it isn’t what you are, but what you strive to be.
A person is, at once, everything they can be. Our potential can define us as well as this singular moment. When I look at a new karate student, I see the black belt within, and then I help them to see it as well.
SpaceAgeSage’s last blog post: Even forgotten dreams can be fulfilled
Hey Al,
>I’m a tech-person so I can also relate all this to technology. Sometimes the better inventions do not succeed in the marketplace (for example Windows vs. Ubuntu), but other uncontrollable factors usually come into play. Usually this means a few die-hard tech fans might appreciate the technology, but the rest of mainstream do not choose it. I think the validation from the niche tech fans is validation of its value, irregardless of the lack of market share.
Right. But what I’m saying is that Ubuntu people shouldn’t accept the relative smallness of their tangible success. It’s perfectly valid and vital to hold on to the faith that Ubuntu is a piece of work deserving of world wide acceptance, and spend life time pursuing that goal, in pursuit of closing the gap between what it is and what it should be.
So I’m cycling back to your original point — and that is to hold on to the ideal of who we are being revealed in our achievements. And if our achievements don’t match up, then keep on pursuing it! As long as we don’t base the value of our achievements solely on the worldly, tangible results — for example, start creating less superior products just to make it easier for acceptance — there’s nothing wrong with having a belief that what you are doing has a value and it ought to be accepted by a large number of people. And dying before you see that vision fulfilled doesn’t mean that you were wrong.
ari
Ari Koinuma’s last blog post: The Basis of All Desires and The Truth about Growth (Digest)
@Urban Panther: Your comment was quite clear. Now, if we had the discussion over beer and it was after a few bottles I might not be able to say that.
@Tom: That was an interesting response - even though you agree that actions count more than intentions, you still choose intentions. I think I see where you’re coming from… you need the intention before the action can follow suit. I agree, and I hope that we don’t have to choose and get the best of both.
@SpaceAgeSage: That was succinct, yet powerful. The vision needs to be there in order to transform potential into reality.
@Ari: That was very well put! To not stop until the ideal becomes reality through achievements. You’ve described the essence of the point that I attempted to describe in my post. Until the achievement finally happens, the intention does not have real value.
>Until the achievement finally happens, the intention does not have real value.
Ahhh, yes, that’s exactly right, but it just FEELS bad to leave it at “no value.” Intention has a value in that it provides us the fuel, the desire and the energy to realize it. Yes, until it is realized and turned into achievements, it has not made any impact. But its value is that it is a seed. Without it, impacts = achievements are not born. Achievements are great goals and should be pursued relentlessly until fruition.
But at the same time, don’t marry the notion that lack of success = failure. I think success is that you have the intention and you relentlessly pursued to make it real. You are not excused from the responsibility to make it real, but you don’t have to bear burden for the elements outside of your control. Fine line, yes, but I do see a line there.
I think in reality if one has an intention and does pursue it relentlessly, it does turn into a real achievement sooner or later. At least that’s very likely to happen. In theory, though, it’s possible to die before your efforts come to fruition. Moses died before setting foot on the Promised Land, for example. Was he a failure? No — because his people made it to the Promised Land. He just didn’t live to see it.
Anyway — at this point we’re just debating semantics. I’m glad I pursued this thread. It was fun!
ari
hey AL, that’s not you in that picture up there, is it?
okay that’s not you, but 
yeah we are harder on ourselves, but when I’m hard on myself, it’s because I know I’ve been slacking and I’m not doing my best.
Good Heavens Al - what’s been going on over here?
I often ask people what they “do”, when getting to know them. And I certainly agree that “action speaks louder than words” !
See you
Robin’s last blog post: Feelings Are There To Be Felt
@Ari: Thanks for clarifying the point about whether intentions alone have value. Intentions are the vital starting point of making good things happen, so it would have been better for me to have said “Until the achievement finally happens, the intention does not have tangible value.” You also described the same sentiment I share: “…success is that you have the intention and you relentlessly pursued to make it real. ” Thanks Ari!
@Natural: The picture in the article isn’t me, but I do have a glimpse of what I look like in the “About” page
.
@Robin: I love what has happened here… a lively discussion that helps me to think and grow. Thanks Robin!
This post is extremely sincere and so much real. I totally agree with you, if you just try doing something -and fail, you will never succeed. If you fail, it’s just because you don’t focus enough on your goals and lack persistence. A double edge razor, you will cut yourself anyway. Public recognition is important, too, and I -relutanctly agree that sometimes what does matter is what you make the others perceive, not what you truly are…but this is the real world. Practical advices…absolutely true.
Elio
Elio Galluzzi’s last blog post: Self improvement: A tea for two…and a ghost
[…] recently asked an excellent question that’s worth considering in light of a new business launch. What’s Important: Who You Are or What You Do? I vacillated answering until I realized that it’s not either or. These are only two of three […]
Hi Elio,
Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, trying is necessary and important, but it’s not sufficient. The public perception is a tough question to answer too… it’s important to be true and honest with how we see ourselves, but to be practical we need to be mindful of how others see us too.
For me actions really speaks louder than words. But of course not all things shall be left unsaid. It is better if actions will be accorded with words too.
If you believe that the only constant is change, as many philosophers do, then “who you are” is strictly an illusion. Accepting that intention is a form of action, and not a separate category from action, there is no need to hold the illusion of an identity.
Whatever you do: there you are.
Chris | Martial Development’s last blog post: Return of the Jedi: Five Questions with a Neigong Expert
I believe that “who you are” and “what you do” are one in the same. My father told me this saying when I was a kid and it has stuck with me throughout my life:
I feel this applies to your occupation as well. We spend SO MANY hours at work that our job becomes us. That’s why I feel we naturally ask “what do you do” when we meet someone. If I meet an accountant, banker, brander, non-profit’er, or consultant, I immediately have a predisposition of what they are like.
So in the end, I feel that “Who you are” and “What you do” is one in the same. Much how you described how “actions speak louder than words,” a person’s path in life greatly describes who he or she is as a person.
Great post and I’ll be subscribing to your blog
- Jun Loayza
Jun Loayza’s last blog post: 5 steps that might have undergraduates worrying about a job
Thanks for this post. To my mind, although results may be important, consciously obsessing over or identifying with the results we achieve can hold us back. If we think, for instance, “this project I’m doing at work has to be well-received or I’m worthless,” we’re going to be paralyzed with anxiety and fail to do our best work. A paradox I’ve seen is that not identifying with the results we achieve can actually produce better results in our work and elsewhere. Best, Chris
A thought provoking post…. i was tickled all over!
but also felt that this is all a lot of nit picking..can we really separately look at or evaluate who we are vs. what we do…. or can we truly ever look at ourselves from an ‘outsider’s perspective’ ?
I think what we do is more important. “What we do” will make us to be “a someone” (who we are).
A good, thoughtful post. I’d be more inclined to say that what you do, and leave behind, is far more important than what you are. Yet at the same time, what you are can make all the difference in the world to someone in your life, like a child.
What you do should define who you are. I really believe that there is a value behind who you are, but also that there is too much value placed on that concept in society.
I think there should also be emphasis on how you do what you do, as that is also incredibly important.
Charley @ Underground Hip Hop’s last blog post: T.I. Sentenced To One Year and One Day
sometimes we need to judge just by the cover,
so prepare your cover at the best
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sometimes we need to judge just by the cover,
so prepare your cover at the best…
thanks
Insightful post. I agree with you re: comparing to the TRUTH vs perception. I’ll shoot for the truth over what others think of me any day of the week.
I Love your statement about how actions speak louder than words
For your actions really speaks louder and words so nice post
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When I read your statement “Can You Believe the Facade?”, immediately remembered my former girlfriend. She loves to play with the public. Likes to organize the show. But in fact it is completely empty inside. So now I do not believe the exterior. Choose friends only by their actions!
First let me apologize for writing a post that was a little difficult to follow. I think I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly. Thank you also for being patient and re-reading the article to figure out what I was trying to say!
Nice
Thank you.
You are what you do. But not necessarily what you do for a living. Its about doing your best and living in integrity. Living up to your word. One of my favorite books, The Four Agreements, talks about this.
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First let me apologize for writing a post that was a little difficult to follow. I think I could have expressed my thoughts more clearly. Thank you also for being patient and re-reading the article to figure out what I was trying to say!
Just what really stimulated u to write “What
This blog, “What