From Knowing To Doing
We know this: “Eat right and exercise”. But with our staggering weight and health problems, it’s clear that there’s a missing piece between knowing and doing. This study looked at diabetics and basically asked the question …
“Does More Knowing Lead To More Doing?”
In other words, if you have a higher score on your knowledge of self-care importance, routines, etc., will you be more likely to actually take care of yourself?
Unfortunately, but perhaps not unsurprisingly, the answer is no. In this study, there was no relationship between a greater understanding of self-care for this disease and actually applying that knowledge to help control the disease.
The missing piece is actually people. Person to person interactions make it easier for us to apply the knowledge we all have. Surround yourself with positive people and it will help you be more positive. Surround yourself with people who take better care of themselves, and it will help you do the same.
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I just saw Gretchen Rubin on the Today Show talking about her latest book, The Four Tendencies. Her theory is that many people (she calls them Obligers) respond well to external expectations (i.e., would have no trouble taking care of their children or spouse) but let their internal expectations for themselves slide. In order for them to take care of themselves, they would need to be accountable to a support group or some other external expectation. I think she’s on to something. Being surrounded by positive people is good, but positive people who will hold your feet to the ffire is better.
Love this Frances, and totally agree. The external expectation — especially when you know that that expectation is out of love or care for you — helps remind us of what we know to be true. It’s like an anchor when you really need it.