You are men and women of action. You are business leaders and entrepreneurs. You are hired for your ability to “get things done” and rewarded with contracts, promotions, and bonuses when you do. The ability to act swiftly and powerfully to accelerate business outcomes is indeed a trait to be celebrated, and it’s something that differentiates you from the rest of the pack.

Interestingly enough, your incredible capacity to act isn’t always your biggest asset. When did you last take the time to contemplate where you are going? Are you still tapping into the most innovative and creative solutions? Is the information you are using to make decisions still relevant? Finding stillness--sitting back and surveying the scene, observing your business (and, heck, your life!) with a beginner’s mind, gathering new information--and then choosing to take the right action is far more powerful than just being in action.

Here’s a little “philosophy snack” for you from Lau Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher who lived around 600 BC and is considered the founder of Taoism: