Actions speak louder than words.

Most of us are familiar with this is a simplified version of a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson where he said, “Your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

I feel like this wisdom is being forgotten by current generations as society continues to modernize. We live in a time when it’s never been easier to talk! We’re all one click away from making our thoughts accessible to everyone on the internet. Unfortunately, this has led to some people placing more of an emphasis on talking than doing. Not Giannis! This man is a doer letting his work do the talking. His story provides us with a beautiful example of how all good things are birthed from doing the work. Nothing proclaims, “I’m taking this seriously” more boldly than doing the work.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the NBA today. He is the reigning two-time MVP and led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 50 years in 2021. But Giannis's journey to the top was anything but easy. He came from arguably the most humble beginnings, growing up “stateless” in Greece. Greece does not grant citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants, so Giannis and his brothers were not citizens of Greece or Nigeria. This meant that they did not have access to basic rights and services, such as education and healthcare. 

Like most basketball loving teenagers Giannis had dreams of playing in the NBA. His love turned into an obsession, and he was quoted for saying, “I’d give anything for the game. I will give everything, that’s it! I want it! People say that, but I meant it. I don’t care what’s between me and my desire. I’m going to go through it.” Giannis had all the reasons in the world to feel sorry for himself, to make up excuses for why he couldn’t do something, but he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NBA. He worked tirelessly to improve his skills, literally sleeping in the gym at times. His actions were loud and clear! 

I want to draw your attention to a phenomenon that is at play here. There’s this interplay between feelings and action that we all have to navigate through in life. Too often we let our emotions and feelings drive the behavior, instead of leading with our actions and letting the feelings follow. We talk ourselves into feeling a certain way based upon our circumstances and subsequently act accordingly. Could you imagine if Giannis had opted for that approach to life? He would have never accomplished anything! Who feels like mastering their drop step when they're consumed with thoughts about whether or not they’ll have access to education and healthcare?

Giannis’s story clearly demonstrates the power of hard work and dedication, but it also highlights some of the emerging science supporting the notion that action precedes emotion. Using Giannis as a case study we’ll explore some of this science and review a few strategies to help you continue to grow On Purpose.

STEP 1: KNOW IT

STEP 2: WANT IT

STEP 3: SHOW IT

STEP 1: KNOW IT

Giannis didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13 years old. Up until that time his sport of choice was soccer. When he first started he wasn’t particularly skilled. He’s quoted for saying, “I didn’t know what to think about basketball, I wasn’t interested in playing a game that required you to use your hands.” At that time, Giannis had a limited understanding of the game of basketball. He had to get to know it first. 

Understanding helps us appreciate the value of things that we might not have appreciated before. Some researchers believe that understanding can actually change the way that we perceive things. When we understand something, it is easier for us to focus on the positive aspects of it. This can lead to a greater appreciation for the thing that we are understanding.

Overall, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that understanding helps with appreciation. If you want to appreciate things more fully, it is important to make an effort to understand them. This can be done by learning more about them, talking to people who are knowledgeable about them, or simply taking the time to think about them.

What do you know about the thing you think you’re interested in? Do you truly understand what it is that you’re trying to do? Could deepening your understanding help you appreciate it more?

STEP 2: WANT IT

“I want it! People say that, but I meant it.” When I heard Giannis say this in an interview it really resonated with me. I immediately thought, what could I say that about? 

Just because you thought you wanted it does not mean you have to want it after you have a better appreciation for whatever it is. This is where most of us get sidetracked, we lose sight of reality in pursuit of the fantasy. We deceive ourselves into thinking we want something when really all we want is the things we believe that something could give us.

To truly want something means to desire it with all your heart. It means that you are willing to put in the time, effort, and sacrifice necessary to achieve it. It means that you are not easily discouraged or deterred. It means that you are committed to making it a reality.

Ask yourself why you want it? What are the reasons you're drawn to it?

STEP 3: SHOW IT

Happy people smile. Do they smile because they’re happy or are they happy because they smile? Research suggests the latter, one study found that people who smiled more were more likely to report feeling happy, even when they were not feeling happy to begin with. Along these same lines, studies show that people that exercise feel more energized. These are just a couple examples of the evidence that supports the idea that feelings follow action. This is an important concept to understand, because it can help you change your emotions by changing your behavior. 

When you truly want something, it shows. You’re willing to put in the work. You’re willing to persevere. You are simply determined to do whatever it takes.  Work is how we reveal the truth about ourselves. The revelation in Giannis’s story is that through his work he revealed what he always was, “an alien of extraordinary abilities”, which was exactly what he needed in order to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA. 

Let me explain. Immigration laws allow for this special visa called an alien of extraordinary abilities visa. If a person qualifies for this they are permitted to live and work in the United States permanently. Giannis was born “an alien of extraordinary abilities” but he had to reveal that to the world through his work before he could be recognized as that. Sit with that for a while, because it is just as true for you. You are already something. You just need to find the work that will empower you to reveal it to yourself and the world.

How could your work help you reveal yourself to the world?