Prove by Deeds, not Reasons

Prove by Deeds, not Reasons
Intentions don’t make a bit of difference. It’s perceptions that matter.

Intentions can get us motivated and keep us honest. But those things are about us, not the other person. The other person often doesn’t know or care about our intentions.

My intention might be to do an excellent job. If there’s a spelling error, that intention won’t mean a thing. The perception will be of a sloppy job.

Having good intentions is, well, good. But they only point us in the right direction. Intentions need to be translated into actions that ‘walk the talk’. Demonstrating our intentions is the only way to influence others’ perceptions.
“In art, intentions are not sufficient and, as we say in Spanish, love must be proved by deeds and not by reasons. What one does is what counts and not what one had the intention of doing.”
- Pablo Picasso -
Intentions might pave the way but success in business is all about perception.


Originally published in Work Better, Not Harder, October 23, 2013

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