Closing the Gap
'The greatest gap in the world is the gap between knowing and doing'- John Maxwell
Most of us know what will make us happier, what will make us healthier and what will help us grow. However, despite having more information available then ever before, and knowing that we “should” spend more time in nature, do more yoga, reduce screen time, avoid toxins, go to bed earlier, eat more veggies and limit stress… many people don’t feel they’re actually “doing” these things regularly enough.
Why is this?
Firstly, information overwhelm. Knowledge used to be power, but that’s not necessarily the case anymore because we can gain knowledge on every topic imaginable, instantly, with a click on our screens. This can be super overwhelming, especially in the nutrition space! As Jill Rigney from the Right Mind International says, perhaps we should try pressing the pause button on learning new things, and just starting DOING what we already know! Secondly, excuses. Us humans are really really good at finding reasons why we shouldn’t do something! “It’s not the right time/ live a little/ one won’t hurt!” Although life is short and one often won’t hurt, the vicious cycle of long-term inaction most certainly will.Perfectionism can also get in the way, and as I’m sure you know, it’s only through doing, failing and doing again that you actually WIN. Be prepared to be wrong a hundred times and be laughed at... you only need to be right once!Comparing yourself to others is also often counter-productive to closing the knowing-doing gap. It’s a great way to procrastinate even more, and lose self-confidence. When we see other people in amazing Yoga positions on Instagram, we’re less likely to give Yoga a go because how could we EVER do THAT? When we see people cooking restaurant quality meals on TV every night, we’re less likely to have the confidence to try something new and less fancy ourselves. When we see other people with incredible gardens, we feel a bit silly for having kept alive ONE rosemary plant. Being inspired is great, but feeling unsatisfactory with your own efforts is not. Remember, the only person you need to compare yourself to is who you were yesterday!Routine and habit is yet another cause. Sometimes we get stuck in a vicious loop of inaction because we’re simply cruising around in autopilot! Do you always get chips from the service station because that’s what you’ve always done? Do you not drink enough water simply because that’s what you’ve always done? If so, you need to think about how badly you really want to change, how important it is to you, and what habits you need to say NO to in order to create new ones.And lastly, change is hard. But can I just say, the hardest part of change is the decision to do it. Once you’ve DECIDED that you’re not going to drink wine during the week, that you ARE going to have a decent lunch tomorrow, or that you’re going to quit smoking… you’re already half way there.
So how do we close the gap?
- Aim to ACT most of the time so you can let things slide SOME of the time.
We’re humans and we don’t have to be perfect. My motto is that I act in a way that’s authentic to my values and aligns with my knowledge MOST of the time, so I can go with the flow SOME of the time.
If I'm eating wholesome, chemical-free, nutrient dense food most of the time; I'm a-OK with eating foods that don’t tick all of my boxes some of the time.
We can't be in control of every single little detail all the time, and if I acted on everything I know, ALL the time, I’d be pretty stressed which is obviously going to be counter-productive to great health anyway!
- Ask yourself – what does acting on ‘that thing’ you know you should do mean to you?
What does eating nourishing food actually mean to YOU? How important is it?? To me, it’s pretty darn important, which is why I spend lots of time in the kitchen. It’s simply part of living, adulting and parenting! Just like exercising, sleeping, brushing my teeth and paying the bills are part of life – so is spending time in the kitchen. That doesn’t mean I always enjoy it or am necessarily good at cooking/gardening/, just that it's a priority and therefore it happens.
- Are you being too hard on yourself?
One of the issues with knowing SO much is that we feel that we should be doing it all, all the time! When it comes to what you eat, of course you could be doing better in SOME way... but just because there’s always room for improvement, it doesn’t mean you’re not doing a great job already!Progress happens incrementally, and in many different ways. Are you celebrating your baby steps? Perhaps you’re not so rushed when eating, or you’ve tried a new recipe, or you resisted that $1 chocolate bar last time you were at the shops, or you asked the butcher where your meat actually comes from, or perhaps you’re feeling more confident in your choices? Learn to pause more, and give yourself a high five for the changes you've already made.
- Be willing to actually change something about what you do.
Many of us know we should be doing a particular thing, like stretching, but we aren’t willing to make the time to stretch. It’s not going to magically happen; you need to be WILLING and ABLE to make a change.
- Don’t give in to peer or social pressure.
Always put yourself first, and others will follow (and even if they don’t, that’s OK). Be strong and be authentic, and those that love you dearly with have your back 100% of the way.
- Consider putting a lid on learning for a little while.
This one freaks me out because I an obsessed with learning! But, I get it, and it makes a lot of sense to me! Remember that you already know SO much, it’s time to DO.
