Any "Action" of any sort whatsoever is, by nature, a "Work" (an initiation of activity towards a specified purpose).
Sorry, OP, but Paul disagrees with you. Given the choice between your definition and his . . .
Nope, he doesn't.
You're attempting to re-create the False Dichotomy between Paul and James asserted by many anti-nomians.
But I say to you, that there is no Dichotomy, and that Faith without Works, is Dead.
True Faith, is a Working Faith.
"Lordship Salvation" is the only kind of Salvation. Messiah is both Savior and Commander -- the two Offices cannot be separated. There is no True Faith, without Obedience. And Obedience is a Verb. An Act. A Work.
Paul refers to those who would attempt to rely upon Good Works without Faith -- an earned salvation. He rightly denies such Dead Works as being of any Salvific Benefit.
But Salvation is not by Good Works without Faith, but rather by the Good Work of Faith: a Volitional, Active, Obedient, Working, Decision of Faith.
Do you Affirm, or Deny, that True Faith involves a Volitional Mental Action, initiated by a Decision of Will?
Either way, Heretical Arminianism loses.).
Best, OP