When Americans encounter a problem, they move toward action. The instinct is to do something—to engage, attempt, intervene—rather than deliberate indefinitely or wait for circumstances to change. Inaction feels uncomfortable; it suggests something is wrong. Analysis matters, but its purpose is to inform action, not substitute for it.
Meetings should produce decisions. Discussions should yield next steps.
If you face a problem, you should be working to resolve it, and working means doing things, not just thinking about them. This doesn’t mean Americans are thoughtless. Strategy, preparation, and planning all receive attention.
But these are understood as precursors to action, not ends in themselves. The goal is always to get to the point where you’re actually doing something about the problem. Extended contemplation without progress toward action prompts questions about when real work will begin. Problems exist to be solved, and solving them requires engaging directly rather than standing back.
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