None of us want to be the do-nothing blowhard--the person who talks on and on, but never backs up their words with actions.
For example, I'm sure we all know negative people that find fault with what others do, but never do much to create change or support others themselves. They stand on the sidelines shouting slurs, but when it comes to contribution, their acts are nil.
If you are someone who enjoys thinking about the issues, reading, and writing, you have to be especially careful about this. That's why often, before I write, I'll make a commitment and plan for an action that matches the writing. As much as possible ,I want my words to reflect my actions--I want to not only contribute words, but act too. After all, as they say, actions do speak louder than words.
What do you do about that sideline naysayer, critic, and blowhard? I start by listening carefully to what they say. I listen for evidence and real time examples to back up their claims. Sometimes, I'll ask, "So what did you do about it?" And at other times, I may not pick up the phone or agree to engagement of any kind.
With social media making publishing our ideas and thoughts so easy, many of us have become pundits readily sharing our ideas. Some of us may overshare (guilty!) and some of us may undershare, but what's important is that we share with truth and follow up our words, critique, and ideas with action. It's a lot easier to simply talk about a subject than to get out there and really do something about it.
Where do you fall on the blowhard do-nothing continuum--do you simply spout out ideas, but do nothing to back up those words or do you try to match your words with actions, or better yet, let your actions outnumber your words? This is an important consideration for all of us, and an important consideration for the election. As far as Trump is concerned, I believe he is a do-nothing blowhard whose words greatly outnumber any positive actions he's done. And for Biden, I believe that the Obama/Biden stats from the end of their terms are quite good--I believe he'll work with a diverse team of best and brightest to lead our country forward for All with actions, not just with words.
In the meantime, I'll work at matching my words with actions with a focus on that adage, Actions speak louder than words. Onward.