Itâs true that action is the catalyst.
Itâs also true that the line between active and passive, or action and inaction, is subjective.
The reason for this is simple: For living things, the âresting stateâ (i.e., the default state) is to be in motion. If all else is natural and normal, a living thing will generally be in a state of activity. We donât really stop acting for our entire lives, we just modulate between more intense and less intense levels of activity.
In everyday, common language, what we often casually refer to as âtaking actionâ is actually âtaking intentional, goal-driven actionâ. But even when weâre not focused on a goal, we are still in movement, still taking action, and often (due to the nature of our minds) itâs often highly complex action.
The difference in this case is that we may not consciously acknowledge it.
For example, since childhood, when Iâm talking on the phone or having a good conversation with a friend, I have a tendency to walk and/or pace. I do this without thinking. Iâve literally had the experience of walking 6-8 miles without really focusing on it. My attention was on the conversation and the meanings that we were exchanging.
But even though I did not acknowledge it, that walk was still impacting my body. My lungs and heart were getting exercise (positive), and, depending on my choice of footwear, I may have been developing callouses and blisters (maybe not positive).
So, there are levels to activity and passivity.
Not everything needs to be consciously directed.
The subliminal just needs fuel and fodder to achieve its effects.
Thatâs another reason why some people can seem to have effects with very little âactionâ. If we watch that personâs patterns, we will often find that without being strongly focused on it the person was already automatically (possibly unconsciously) taking action.
I think that a solid subliminal strategy will take advantage of the âeffortlessâ, automatic behaviors in which we are already engaged. Itâs like free fuel thatâs just lying around. So, why not use it?