How to Shh-ow and Not Tell

The first time I heard the Latin phrase, 'Facta non verba', I was a fresh junior seated in the Holy Child School assembly hall for orientation. I never truly understood then how important it is to communicate more with your actions and less with your tongue, well, in some cases (if you know, you know). In your career and personal life, this idea has been stressed on so much that it has become cliché. For something that has been repeated over and over again, it's a wonder how many people still talk more and do less. It's easy to look like an idiot when you speak too much.

Imagine as an employer, a promising prospect lists all their traits in their cover letter, hardworking, timely, discreet etc. but during the three-month probation window in which they've been employed, they accidentally leave confidential documents out in the open and always show up to work an hour later than the stipulated time. The potential employee might become just potential. Words aren't completely useless, they can make an impression, get your foot in the door or draw people in but they lose credibility when your actions don't match them. There's a reason why 'word' is a synonym for 'promise' in English.

If I enter a Happy Burger restaurant, I expect cheerfulness to ooze out of the atmosphere, the service and my taste buds. Words are cheap and that's probably why a lot of people misuse them. Actions require commitment, grueling work and consistency which means that it's not appealing to most so it's exactly what will make you stand out.

I dare you,

E.A.