Introduction
We often hear people say “talk less, do more.” It’s a simple phrase that encourages us to show our dedication and progress through what we do, not just by what we say. This advice isn’t just catchy; it’s backed by the science of psychology. Let’s look at how the study of human behavior and thinking explains why actions really do speak louder than words.
Doing Shows Who We Are
Imagine if you’re given a choice: trust what a person says or what a person does. Which would you choose? Experts in behavioral psychology, a branch of psychology that focuses on actions, argue that a person’s actions are a better guide to their real thoughts and feelings than their words. An early experiment by psychologists Watson and Rayner in the 1920s showed that actions, not words, are a more accurate reflection of a person’s true intentions, feelings, and beliefs.
From Saying to Doing: It’s All in the Mind
So, how do we move from saying we’ll do something to actually doing it? That’s where cognitive psychology, the study of how we think and make decisions, comes in. A well-known theory by psychologist Icek Ajzen suggests that we’re more likely to do something when we believe it’s beneficial, think others will approve, and feel capable of doing it. That means if we want to “do more,” we need to work on having a positive attitude, believe in our ability, and feel that our actions are socially accepted.
Get Motivated to Act
Why do we do what we do? That’s a question for motivation psychology. According to psychologists Ryan and Deci, we’re more likely to follow through with actions when we enjoy doing them (intrinsic motivation) rather than when we’re doing them for rewards or to meet external demands (extrinsic motivation). So, if you want to “talk less, do more,” find something that you love doing. You’re more likely to stop talking about it and start doing it!
Enjoy the Sound of Silence
Surprisingly, talking less can also make us think better and make better decisions. A study by researchers Mehta and Zhu found that a bit of background noise can help with creative thinking, but too much can hamper it. Also, a lot of self-talk can over-complicate our thoughts and make it hard to make decisions – a problem sometimes called “paralysis by analysis.” By talking less, we can clear our minds and focus better on the tasks at hand.
Conclusion
The phrase “talk less, do more” isn’t just a cliché – it’s advice backed by science! Our actions show our true selves more than our words. To move from talking to doing, we need to believe in ourselves, feel that our actions are socially accepted, and enjoy what we do. Finally, talking less can help us think more clearly and focus better on our actions. So, the next time you hear “talk less, do more,” remember: it’s not just a saying, it’s psychologically sound advice!
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 50(2), 179-211.
Mehta, R., & Zhu, R. (J.). (2012). Blue or Red? Exploring the Effect of Color on Cognitive Task Performances. Science, 323(5918), 1226–1229.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54–67.
Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (1920). Conditioned emotional reactions. Journal of experimental psychology, 3(1), 1.