Knowing vs Doing * 3 Tips for Integration

If I ever get stuck trying to do something online like change a setting in Facebook, I google it. Instantly I have step by step instructions in text and/or video form.

We are in the Information Age, where almost all of our questions can be answered with the click of a button…The problem today is often not that we do not know what to do… it’s that we do not do it.

Meditation for example…

We have known for decades the mystical and yet scientifically documented impact it has on our health (mental, emotional, and physical)

There are even studies showing that groups of people meditating with a specific intention for more peace were able to reduce crime rates …. 💥 wow!

Okay so with all that said… how many of us mediate consistently?

A 2012 study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative health showed less than 8% of adults in the US have even tried meditation. 

This is the next step in our evolution as a species. Integration. Applying all the revolutionary, groundbreaking, and world changing information we have already uncovered.

It’s time we BEcome what we know. It is time for it to move from our head to our heart and then into our physical being.

The question then becomes “how?” How do we bridge the gap between knowing something and actually living it.

Well this my friends is one of my super powers, integrating what you know into what you do.

3 tips for integrating what you know

  1. Lock in your Motivation (Your reason “why”)

The best way to ensure you take action on the things you know is to get your motivation in check. Avoiding pain (the whip) and seeking pleasure (the Carrot) are the two universal motivators.

Your motivation will take on a life of its own once you clarify the painful reasons why you must adopt a particular behavior and the pleasurable rewards you will experience if you do. 

For example:

Pain you can avoid by meditating: anxiety, addiction, stress, racing thoughts, negative thinking, obsessive thinking

Pleasurable rewards from meditating: centered, focused, positive, calm, peaceful, increased self awareness, improved sleep, decreased blood pressure

  1. Make it Easy (Start where you are)

Especially in the beginning of adopting a new habit like meditation make it easy. The easier you keep it the more likely you will take action and build the habit.

I have started and stopped meditating several times in my life… because let’s be honest. I had no idea how to actually do it and so I never knew if it was even working. It felt like a frustrating waste of time. 

This all changed a year ago when I stopped trying to force myself to meditate for 20-30 minutes by myself. I found an app HeadSpace (highly recommend) that has 10 minute meditations that over a series of 10 sessions teach you how to actually meditate. Using this app was the first time in my life I was able to consistently meditate for more than 5 days in a row.

What is your goal? Would you like to exercise more consistently? (another one of the undeniably healthy things we get to do when we start applying the knowledge we have)

I encourage you to start small. Rather than attempting an hour of exercise a day, which his a huge pill to swallow if you haven’t been exercising at all, start with 10-15 minutes/ day. This is a great place to start even if this means you just march in place in your living room to some of your favorite tunes.

The most loving thing you can do, for yourself, is to meet yourself where you are at.  

  1. Make it about keeping your word 

My go-to-never-fail reason to take an action is to keep my word to myself. I’ve committed to meditating so I will. I’ve committed to eating a plant based diet so I will. I have committed to a consistent morning routine so it will happen.  

I know that if I commit to something and I don’t do it I will damage my rapport with myself. It gets pretty tricky to stay motivated with your goals and dreams when you can’t trust yourself to do what you said you would do. 

This means we get to be sure to wisely apply tip #2. If you over commit you won’t be able to keep your word.

These tips will put you well on your way to implementing the wealth of information you know into your life. Try them out and let me know how it goes in the comments below.

If you believe it… BE it.

Yes, it’s possible

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