Action brings changes. Purposeful action is more specific -- a series of events that are driven by a commitment to a mission born from a vision derived from inner-conviction. Such actions aim to serve the purpose of others beyond just personal ends. This leads to success as well as fulfillment. Actions form your life, just as the flow of water creates the brook. Without the flow of water there is no brook, without the flow of actions, there is no life.

Action can be proactive or reactive. Purposeful action is always proactive and driven by a mission that is derived from within. Service to those affected by the action is inherent in purposeful action.

In practice, actions are driven by decisions motivated by the desires of the individual or organizations, even when such actions might be in violation of the guidelines or principles that govern the actions. Purposeful action avoides such ethical lapses by integrating ethics into all actions, using the Framework for Purposeful Actions and the Four Principles.