One of my former mentors, author John C. Maxwell, once said- “Many people want to be where I am in life, but they aren’t willing to do what I did to be where I am!”
That IS the rub, isn’t it?
The biggest gap in life is between what you know and what you are willing to do…
For example, we all know that if we’re serious about maximizing our health, we would be much more committed to eating healthier, working out regularly, taking care of our mental health, getting the recommended checkups, etc.
Yet many people don’t make those choices.
People know they should save for the future, emergencies, or retirement, but immediate gratification often leads to unnecessary spending.
We all know the importance of staying connected with loved ones and maintaining healthy communication, but daily life often gets in the way.
People understand the need for effective time management, but procrastination and distractions often take over.
It’s the gap at work…between what we know we should do and what we actually do.
What about asking for help? That is a challenging one, because many people believe that in doing so, it’s either an admission of weakness, or an unwillingness to be vulnerable, or perhaps a bit of both. Yet instead, some people will struggle unnecessarily, wasting precious extra time, all in the name of perceived self-sufficiency.
What is the gap in your life?
What keeps you from bridging that gap?
Not sure how to begin?
Here are a few best practices that will help significantly:
1. Prioritize Self-Awareness
Often, people know what they should be doing but fail to act due to a lack of awareness of their habits, blind spots, or emotions. Regular self-reflection, journaling, or seeking feedback can help uncover why there’s a gap and what’s preventing action.
2. Set Clear, Actionable Goals
Transform general knowledge into specific, measurable steps. For example, instead of “I need to be healthier,” set a clear goal like “Exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week.” Breaking down big ideas into smaller, actionable tasks makes it easier to follow through.
3. Create Accountability
External accountability can be very effective. Find a mentor, coach, or friend who can hold you accountable for taking necessary actions. Regular check-ins create additional motivation and help ensure important tasks don’t get overlooked.
4. Develop Strong Routines
Consistency often depends on creating effective routines. Establish daily or weekly habits that ensure important tasks get done. For example, set a dedicated time each day for personal development, work on a project, or other priorities.
5. Leverage Your Strengths
Identify your natural strengths and use them to support areas where you may struggle. If you’re good at planning but struggle with execution, use your planning skills to schedule focused time for completing tasks and stick to it.
6. Embrace Imperfection
Many people delay action because they want everything to be perfect, but perfectionism often leads to inaction. Focus on progress rather than perfection. Taking small, imperfect steps is far better than waiting for the “perfect” moment or solution.
7. Simplify and Focus
It’s easy to try to do too much at once. Narrow your focus to the top 2-3 most important areas where action is needed. By simplifying your priorities, you can concentrate on the most impactful activities instead of spreading yourself too thin.
8. Delegate and Seek Support
Sometimes the gap exists because you try to do everything on your own. Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or seek help from others. This frees up time and energy for you to focus on the things that matter most or that only you can do.
9. Measure Progress
What gets measured tends to get done. Set clear benchmarks to track your progress, whether they are personal goals, like improving time management, or work-related objectives. Regularly check in to assess how well you’re closing the gap.
10. Seek Feedback Regularly
Feedback is essential for aligning your actions with what you know you should be doing. Regularly ask for feedback from friends, colleagues, or mentors to get real-time insights into where your actions might not yet align with your knowledge.
By following these steps, you can begin to bridge the gap between what you know and what you do, creating more consistent, effective results.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
You don’t have to bridge the whole gap in one leap- take the steps you CAN take, with where you are, with what you have, and keep stepping. Intentional, consistent steps- even baby ones- will eventually take you to the top of Everest!
