81. Improving Your Say vs. Do Ratio

Episode 81: Improving Your Say vs. Do Ratio

The Career Clinic Podcast

Host: Ronnie Dickerson Stewart

---

Episode Overview

Welcome to Week Two of The Career Clinic January Intensive.

In Episode 81, we turn our attention to one of the most consequential gaps in leadership, career growth, and personal trust: the space between what you say matters and what you actually do.

This episode isn’t about setting better goals or crafting prettier intentions. It’s about follow-through, integrity, and building a year where your actions consistently back up your words. You’ll learn why most resolutions fail, how trust erodes when intention and behavior drift apart, and what it actually takes to stay in the small percentage of people who follow through long after January ends.

---

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Why goals alone don’t change outcomes
✔️ The real reason most people abandon resolutions by February
✔️ How the Say vs. Do gap erodes self-trust and credibility
✔️ Why your calendar tells the truth faster than your intentions
✔️ How alignment between words and actions creates integrity
✔️ A simple but powerful practice to close the gap — starting now

---

The Core Teaching: Say vs. Do Is About Trust

Every time you say something matters — and then don’t act accordingly — trust erodes. Not just with others, but with yourself.

This episode explores how:

• Unaligned actions teach your nervous system that your word is negotiable

• Self-doubt and resentment creep in quietly through broken promises

• Integrity is built through alignment, not aspiration

Your calendar, energy, and habits tell the truth long before your goals do.

---

A Reality Check: Intentions Without Infrastructure Don’t Work ✍🏾

Vision boards, notebooks, and beautifully written goals don’t change lives on their own.

What does change outcomes:

• Shifting behaviors

• Increasing accountability

• Adjusting environments

• Eliminating friction

Without structure, motivation fades. With structure, follow-through becomes possible.

---

This Week’s Practice: Choose a Word (or Phrase) of Intention

Rather than chasing dozens of goals, this episode introduces a powerful anchor: one word or phrase that embodies what you will do this year.

Not what you hope for.
Not what sounds good.
What you will do.

Examples shared in the episode include:

• Stretch — taking brave, identity-shifting action

• Love myself too — pouring into yourself alongside others

• Step — moving forward with full presence and commitment

Your word becomes a filter, a compass, and a decision-making aid — layered on top of your requirements and capacity.

---

Your 24-Hour Challenge 🙌🏾

Within 24 hours of listening to this episode:

1. Choose your word or phrase of intention

2. Write it down

3. Say it out loud

4. Put it somewhere you’ll see it daily

Waiting weakens commitment. Action builds momentum.

---

A Companion Practice: Look Back Before You Move Forward

Before rushing into the week ahead, pull up last week’s calendar and ask:

• Where did my time actually go?

• What got my best energy?

• What did I say mattered — and did my actions match?

Observation, not judgment, is the starting point for change.

---

Links & Resources 🤎

📝 Ask OhHeyCoach (Submit Your Question):
Submit questions anonymously or by name for Friday’s Ask OhHeyCoach episode.
👉🏾 https://form.typeform.com/to/ja89DHpT

📩 Join the OhHeyMonday Newsletter:
Weekly reflections, tools, and grounded guidance delivered every Monday.
👉🏾 www.ohheyjoin.com

🤝 Work With Ronnie / OhHeyCoach:
Executive coaching, leadership development, and career design for individuals and organizations.
👉🏾 www.ohheycoach.com

📬 Contact:
[e-mail]

---

What’s Coming Next

In Episode 82, we’ll introduce a practical framework for closing the Say vs. Do gap — turning your word of intention into structure, accountability, and consistent action.

---

Final Thought ✨

You don’t need better goals.
You need better follow-through.

Alignment between what you say and what you do builds trust, integrity, and momentum — one decision at a time.

Let’s close the gap.
All of 2026.

I’ll see you tomorrow. 🤎