Actions are either Deliberate (pre-planned, intentional) or Opportunistic (accidental, by chance).
For example, blocking time for meditation or journaling on our calendar is deliberate thinking, and thinking while waiting in a queue, driving, eating, or daydreaming (assuming you don’t bring out your phone instead) is opportunistic.
The difference between the two is intention. Regularity of an action doesn’t mean it’s part of our intentional life. If it happens opportunistically, then we are just getting lucky.
If we only rely on luck for certain actions, it becomes harder to see any meaningful result from it. Imagine you only exercise on days when the stars align; when you finish work early, feel energetic, and your friends don’t call you to meet up. Is it possible to get fit with such a schedule? Maybe, if you are lucky. You will have a higher chance if you plan for it and be more disciplined about it.
If an action matters to you, make it deliberate. Don’t rely on chance. That’s the only way of making it a permanent part of your life.
Is deliberate action always better than opportunistic one?
Everything has its importance. Trying to do everything deliberately is exhausting, and you will burn out soon. Meanwhile, relying only on opportunistic moments might not be enough for the actions to be meaningful as stated above.
The best approach is to use both forms.