"As a child, I often responded to anyone's conversations with a dismissive 'I know.' They would gently point out that if I understood the concept, I should be putting it into practice. Later in life, I found it a struggle to cope with the gap between my ideas and bringing my ideas to life. My decision-making skills were lacking. I wanted to take proactive action by addressing the core issues connected with poor decision-making." says Joe from California.
It's a familiar scenario: You know what you need to do, but you just can't seem to do it. This disconnect between knowing and doing is a common human experience that can hinder our personal and professional growth. Whether it's procrastinating on a project, avoiding a difficult conversation, or simply not following through on a goal, this gap can be frustrating and challenging, especially in the long term.
Struggling to Act: A Common Factor for Most Individuals
The reasons behind this knowing-doing gap are complex and multifaceted. Many do not have any idea about the real reasons that are keeping them from succeeding in every aspect of their lives. In this blog, we are going to discuss some of the factors contributing to this negative “lack of decision-making/taking action” state of mind. Here are a few of the most common psychological factors behind this state of being:
Procrastination: This is the act of delaying or postponing tasks, even when we know they are important. Procrastination can be driven by a variety of factors, including fear of failure, perfectionism, and a lack of motivation. For example, a student knows they have a crucial essay due tomorrow but instead spends hours scrolling through social media or watching videos.
Fear of Failure: The fear of making mistakes or not succeeding can be a powerful barrier to action. This fear can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and a reluctance to take risks. For example, an aspiring entrepreneur hesitates to start their own business because they are afraid of losing money or failing to achieve their goals.
Analysis Paralysis: This occurs when we become so overwhelmed by information and options that we are unable to make a decision. This can lead to a state of indecision and a failure to take action. For example, a person spends weeks researching different vacation destinations, unable to decide where to go because there are so many options to consider.
From a professional aspect to day-to-day life, taking the right step at the right moment is crucial for every individual. We are now going to cover key strategies to help you to turn decision making into a core strength, thereby helping you to live a confident life.
Bridging the Gap: Following a Few Steps Can Help You To Turn Decisions into Results
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful decision-making and achieving desired outcomes. By following a few key steps, we can seamlessly merge these two essential elements and transform our decisions into tangible results. Clear and concise communication ensures that everyone involved is aligned with the goals, understands their roles, and can contribute effectively. Additionally, open and honest dialogue fosters a collaborative environment where ideas can be shared, evaluated, and refined. This not only leads to better decision-making but also enhances overall mental well-being.
For instance, a company that prioritises open communication and effective decision-making can quickly adapt to changing market conditions, innovate, and maintain a positive work culture. This, in turn, boosts employee morale, productivity, and ultimately, business success.
An additional tool that is crucial to merge the gap between knowing and doing is to regularly work on operating with peak mental well-being. Peak mental wellness is critical to have the right mind state to evaluate your choices and move forward mentally from knowing to doing. Peak mental well-being enables you to confidently move from knowing to doing, thereby helping you to make the most of every aspect of your life. Take a look at the Next Dimension Story 5-4-30 Peak Mental Wellbeing framework to equip you to get into the right mind state to bridge the knowing-doing gap.
Let's Now Hear The Case of Steve Jobs Who Bridged Knowing and Doing: From Visionary to Reality
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, is a prime example of a visionary who successfully bridged the gap between knowing and doing. Immense challenges, setbacks, and periods of self-doubt marked his journey.
In the early days of Apple, Jobs had a revolutionary idea: to invent an easy-to-use and affordable personal computer. However, established technology companies met his vision with scepticism and resistance. One of the most significant challenges Jobs faced was his difficult personality. His demanding and often abrasive behaviour alienated many people, including employees and investors. This led to his eventual dismissal from Apple in 1985. The departure from the company he had co-founded was a devastating blow, but Jobs did not give up on his dream.
During his time away from Apple, Jobs founded NeXT, a computer company that developed innovative software and hardware. While NeXT was not a commercial success, it gave Jobs valuable experience and allowed him to refine his vision. Again, in 1997, Apple acquired NeXT, bringing Jobs back to the company he had helped create. Upon his return to Apple, Jobs embarked on a remarkable turnaround. He introduced a series of groundbreaking products, including the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. These devices revolutionised the way people interacted with technology and catapulted Apple to unprecedented heights.
Jobs' ability to envision the future and be mentally and emotionally prepared to translate his vision into tangible products is a testament to his extraordinary leadership and innovation. He approached decisions with the right mindset and took action at the right time to navigate fears/failures/successes, thereby living a confident life and making the most of every aspect of his life.
Let’s shift into action with your life: It’s Your Turn To Make Smart Decisions
Hello, George Eapen here. I am your decision-making coach. From Joe, one of our happy clients, to Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, I can assure you that every individual faces this gap of knowing and doing. However, having the right mindset and the right tools can bring you closer to your goal. So, are you ready to make smarter decisions? My online courses are designed to help you overcome fear and uncertainty and make confident, informed choices.
With over two decades of experience in international business and change management, I've developed proven strategies to help you foster your self-confidence when making decisions. Learn to avoid similar mental and psychological gaps every time and take bold steps to achieve what you deserve. Through my 3 step heart/mind/gut instinct approach, I coach individuals to tap into their Heart (Values), Mind (Skills) and Gut (Instinct) to make well-rounded, smart decisions in life. When we talk about tapping into your heart, we are talking about your core values that determine your outlook in life. When we are discussing mind-based matters, we are talking about using your skills to analyse choices effectively Moreover, I not only coach individuals to tap into their heart and mind but also enable individuals to combine heart and mind with their life experience (gut instinct/intuition) to guide them to make smart choices in life.
Through the Next Dimension Story approach, you are prepared to overcome psychological and mental traps so that you can confidently bridge the gap between knowing and doing and make the most of your life. Enrol now in our very popular MAKE SMART DECISIONS – INTERMEDIATE VIDEO COURSE. This step-by-step guide will empower you to tackle life's most challenging decisions. You can also download the MAKE SMART DECISIONS – One Pager for a quick overview.
Do you enjoy learning from webinars or on-the-go audio courses? Great! Join my upcoming FREE Webinar and get instant access to the MAKE SMART DECISIONS – Audio Course.
Understanding the psychological and mental factors contributing to this divide between knowing and doing and implementing effective strategies can bridge the gap and turn your decisions into results. Remember, it's not about being perfect; it's about taking action and making progress.
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