KNOWLEDGE ISN'T ENOUGH. YOU HAVE TO EMBODY IT.
If I have that third drink, I'm going to regret it tomorrow...
Just because you know something is true, doesn't mean you'll do it.
In fact, there's a good chance you'll do the opposite, especially when drinks are involved.
Let's call this the knowing-doing gap.
I see this in my work all the time. Hell, I see it in myself all the time.
Part of knowing yourself is knowing when your willpower is strongest. Or weakest.
I’ve learned to attack my biggest to-dos in the morning. If things are left until the afternoon, they often get pushed to the next day.
Let's face it - bridging that gap often comes down to willing yourself to do things.
You know you’ll feel better both physically and mentally if you get off the couch and go to the gym.
Without a big dose of willpower, chances are you’re staying put.
Knowing something intellectually and not acting on it is a common human phenomenon.
This is why awareness alone isn't enough.Real lasting change comes when awareness is embodied. When you integrate the knowledge into practice.
BRIDGING THE GAP
I've learned that on days when I meditate I feel calmer, more grounded and more intentional with my actions.
Those are three big benefits.
On days when I skip mediation, I can feel scattered, unfocused and ungrounded.
Three unwelcomed feelings.
So why don't I meditate every day?
How can I embody this knowledge and bridge this knowing-doing gap?
I'm pretty sure it starts with experience. In fact I don't think you can truly understand something unless you've had direct experience of it.
Let’s take childbirth –
You can't really understand this experience unless you've gone through it yourself. You might have read all the books and know all the theory but unless you've carried a foetus for nine months ... you see my point.
As a man, I'm incapable of childbirth. I'm not even a doctor capable of delivering one. Male doctors might even be experts in delivering babies. But not in carrying them.
I've come to terms with the fact that I will never be an expert in childbirth. Or, baby delivery, for that matter. Therefore, I can never achieve embodied clarity when it comes to childbirth.
Fortunately, I am capable of embodying other kinds of first-hand knowledge.
Enjoying this perspective?
BABY STEPS
After 24 years in the heart of Munich, my wife and I recently moved out of the city. One of the reasons we wanted to move was to have the time and space to think about and feel into our next steps.
What we needed was clarity. After a few months outside the city, I'm starting to understand this decision beyond my analytical mind. I now have the time and space to feel. Time and space that eluded me in our city life.
My wish is that I start to embody this clarity. I’m convinced this never could have happened without this experience.
I still don’t have a clear roadmap of our next steps. However, I’m now in a place where I can allow the clear picture to come. And when clarity comes, I hope I’m in a place to embody it.
I take comfort in this knowledge:
You don't necessarily stop a pattern the first time you see it. Sometimes you need to live through the pattern several more times before you can break it.
The repetitions are part of how the pattern becomes fully understood, according to meditation teacher Cory Muscara.
"...there's a big difference between going through a pattern on autopilot and going through a pattern with embodied awareness."
This is exactly what’s happening to me and my meditation practice – I’m building awareness that leads to knowledge that I will embody.
From personal experience and extensive work experience, I know the key to building new habits is consistent practice.
Bad news: There is no way around the work.
Good news: Consistent practice builds new neural pathways which lead to new habits. (Neuroscience lingo friendly)
But first you’ve got to be aware of what it is.
You can’t change what you can’t see.
THE PRACTICE
This brings me to a practice that I believe can help people bridge the knowing-doing gap.
I’m offering individual and team coaching to support and guide others on the journey from insight to action.
Drawing on over 25 years’ first-hand experience working with groups and individuals, Embodied Clarity is the synthesis or what I’ve learned on my journey.
In a nutshell, Embodied Clarity is a guided practice to help you get clear on what matters most—and bring it to life.
Before you can bring to life what matters most, three things need to happen –
Become aware of what is happening within and around you (Awaken)
Connect with your values, your purpose, and your whole self—not just the good parts (Align)
Bring clarity to life (Act)
Embodied Clarity follows a simple formula to transform insight to action:
Awaken →Align → Act
Embodied Clarity is the destination. The practice is the path.
To learn more about how it works, see Embodied Clarity
SPREADING THE WORD
One big thing I’ve learned in my work and life:
Clarity changes everything.
In a work context, clarity helps leaders engage teams around goals and helps teams align around those goals.
But only when they are clear.
In a non-work context, clarity helps you focus on what’s most important and take action that is aligned with who you are.
Here are a few consequences when clarity is lacking in a team, group or organization –
· Teams talk past each other
· Leaders make decisions based on assumptions
· Conflict never gets addressed
· Change initiatives stall because people aren't aligned
Meetings that are unnecessary or unfocused aren’t even listed!
From more impact to personal growth, I believe clarity significantly improves most everything.
I feel so strongly about this learning I want to share it beyond my circle of clients and partners.
I've created a keynote called Clarity Changes Everything.
The keynote can be tailored to leaders and teams looking to increase business impact through:
Better decisions → Aligned action → Stronger performance
Or it can speak to individuals and groups looking to deepen personal growth and relationships through:
Greater self-awareness → Stronger relationships → Action with intention
If you agree that “clarity changes everything”, let’s talk about bringing it to your target audience.
If individual or team coaching is what you need, let’s talk.