Recently I have witnessed something that I’m finding to be epidemic. Yes, I realize that’s a heavy word but I do want to make it a big deal.
It’s this, knowing what needs to be done versus actually doing it.
This distinction is critical for success, at ANYTHING!
Let me give you three examples:
- I want to get stronger and I know in order to do so I must do some type of strength training (pushups, lifting, kettle bells, etc) so many days a week for a specific period of time. Yet, I don’t do it.
- I want to lose weight and I know in order to do so I need to monitor my diet and/or exercise. Yet, I don’t do it.
- I want to get good grades and in order to do so I know I need to attend class, take notes, complete and turn in assignments and spend a certain amount of time studying. Yet, I don’t do it.
I know very well what it takes to accomplish all those things but I don’t apply what I know.
And it gets worse. Many people continue to learn and thus know more. (ie. A business person at seminars, a baseball player at camps, a coach at a clinic, etc) and then rather than applying what they’ve learned, in others words what they know, they go to another event (seminar, camp, clinic).
I confess. I’m guilty. I’ve been down this path myself. Why? Well, it’s much easier. The application of what I know is work. It’s the grind. Yet, it’s the most important and ultimately, what separates us from our competition.
I have a saying hanging in my home office to serve as a reminder:
It could also probably read, “Action NOT Analysis!” I can learn more and more and more. I can think about what I know and all the ways it could be used but until I act on it, until I apply it, it really is of little value.
So, this week I leave you by reminding you that knowing what to do is only half of the equation. The second and more important part is doing it!
