The Difference Between Knowing & Doing

Good intentions. We all have them.

Why is it so hard to turn intentions into action? Well, it's the difference between knowing and doing. Ask any business owner to tell you what they need to DO to grow their business and most can rattle off a long list of things. Then ask them why they don't do those things and you will probably get a deer in the headlights blank stare.

The reason this phenomena happens is because there's an action gap we face when trying to grow our business. This action gap is the difference between knowing and doing and it is the biggest gap a business owner can face. 

Here are a few common intentions I hear over and over again from my business clients (and admittedly, sometimes even hear myself saying. Hey, we're all human after all!):

• I intend to lead by example.
• I intend to stop taking things personally.
• I intend to build my network.
• I intend to set aside time for personal growth.
• I intend to change my daily work habits.

Here's what I know...Without actions behind the intentions, days pass with zero results. Why is that?

We are creatures of habit. Habits form with repeated actions over time. I'll bet you've formed some new habits during quarantine. They are a gradual process. Now the shocking news. Some habits we have just don't serve us.

Let me explain. There's a story that goes like this. Put a frog in boiling water (no frogs were hurt in this example) and he will immediately jump out. But, if you put the same frog in cool water and turn the heat up slowly, he won't move. The frog will just sit there until frog legs are served for dinner. Isn't that interesting?

It's easy to tell when there is a big habit that doesn't serve us, but how many of us have woken up one day to see a brand new habit staring you back in the face, seemingly out of nowhere? We all have. The key is focusing our awareness on the little things we do daily and determining if they actually serve our higher good.

Let me leave you with five steps you can use right away so you can consciously build good, strong business habits to keep you out of hot water:

1. Decide what you want. If I could wave a magic wand, what would your business look like? Make a list of all the habits you would need to change to bring your ideal business into existence.
2. Decide on one thing you can change right away. You might be tempted to want to tackle the entire list. Trust me on this. Pick one habit that will move you and your business forward.
3. Get really clear on what shifts need to take place in order for you to create this new habit. Don't hold back here. 
4. Make a strong intention to focus on this change every day by implementing the shifts you determined in step 3. Better yet, create an affirmation or a mantra that you can say during the day. Write it on sticky notes and put them everywhere throughout your home and office. Make sure your affirmation is written in positive wording. For instance, "I am a very organized business owner" vs. "I will get rid of all the clutter on my desk so I can think more productively." What we focus on we get. If you focus on being organized, you will be more organized. If you focus on clutter, get what shows up? Yes, more clutter. Keep all intentions and affirmations focused on the behavior you WANT, not what you don't want. 
5. Create a mindfulness practice. Keep your intention and the change you want top of mind. Start your morning visualizing yourself completely successful with your new habit. See yourself successful. Feel yourself doing the work. Create your own self fulling prophecy by visualizing the change you want until one day soon you wake up and you have changed.

All success starts from within. It's all about who you are willing to become.

TOUGH COACHING MOMENT: If YOU didn't need to change, wouldn't you already have the business you want?

​Only with action will you be able to move past the difference between knowing and doing.

I look forward to your business growth!

Your Friend on the Journey,
Donna

PS - If you haven't joined out network of World Changers now would be a great time JOIN US. Change is always easier when you have a community of support to cheer you on!  Come grow with us.