The Difference Between Knowing vs Doing

Consider this blog a quick coaching session from me to you.

And fair warning: The message might sting just a bit. But believe me, it’s delivered with good intentions. (And if it does sting, that means you needed to hear this.)

Just a few weeks ago, I published a blog of book recommendations.

You can almost consider this blog an important addendum to that message.

But it applies to much more than just books. In addition to recommending books to read, I often talk about the importance of getting out of the office and attending events, whether they’re mine or someone else’s.

Books, events, online training, learning from your broker, learning from your peers… all of these things are so important to fuel your mind and fill you with ideas on how to achieve goals and learn knowledge for your business.

You agree, yes?

The Lesson of Knowing vs Doing

Okay, here comes today’s important lesson…
While we all agree it’s absolutely essential to continually learn and grow…
All the knowledge in the world means NOTHING if you don’t act on it.
If you’re not turning these lessons you learn into actions, the lessons are worthless and you’ll never figure out how to get what you really want.
Finishing a book or attending an event makes you feel good inside. You feel a sense of accomplishment.
But don’t fool yourself.
Really, you’ve only taken the first step. And it’s the easiest of the two steps I’m talking about.
“Knowing” is one thing. “Doing” is what makes things happen.
Doing is what puts knowledge into motion.
Doing is what makes your goal setting a reality.
Doing is what allows you to live a fulfilling life.
My main message today is this:
Never confuse “knowing” for “doing.”
You must implement what you’ve learned to make it valuable.

How Will You Get Into Action?

If this message hits home and you’re beginning to recognize your struggle to implement all the ideas in your head, accountability is your answer. I love checklists to help identify action items, boost motivation, and hold you accountable.

Earlier this year, coaching member Jennifer Thompson of Ottawa, ON shared a great, simple strategy she used to take notes while attending one of our events. I thought I’d pass it along here because it’s a very effective way to put what you’ve learned into immediate action. Although this was from an event, the same could be done when reading a book.

Here’s what she wrote in our private Facebook Group:

“I had two separate coursebooks going. In one book I wrote notes and all of the inspiration Tom shared with us. In my other notebook, I had an ongoing ‘good idea’ list. Because I split this into two separate areas, I was able to come home with a clear to-do list and I’ve gotten started already. I’ve taken this to-do list and organized it into five categories. This has been ideal for me to get cracking.”

Her categories were:

  • Quick & Easy
  • Important and Easy to Implement
  • Important and Time Consuming
  • Things to Research or Buy
  • Books to Read

I hope you found this message helpful. If you know you struggle to implement and checklists and self-accountability methods haven’t worked, you might want to consider a Free Coaching Consultation. And if you have a great method you use to turn ideas into actions, let me know in the comments below!