Why Knowing Isn’t the Same as Doing
There are so many things we know are good for us, whether it’s taking regular walks, going to bed on time, meditating, or connecting with friends and family.
Yet knowing them in theory and practising them are two very different things.
And doing them consistently is a challenge for most people, due to a plethora of reasons.
You’re Only Ever One Habit Away
A concept I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is that with all of these things, we are often only ever one decision away from making them a part of our lives.
That decision is turning them from a thing, action, or task we know would benefit us into a habit.
In simple terms:
We are only ever one new habit away from changing the trajectory of our lives.
I don’t know about you, but framing it this way feels liberating…
It relieves a huge amount of pressure that I’m confident many of us feel from the ever-growing list of things we’re told to do to live our healthiest, best lives.
All it takes is integrating these singular actions into our lives in such a way that they’re repeated day after day until they become habits, so automatic that we no longer have to think about them, much like brushing our teeth.
The Real Challenge: Repeating It Daily
But that’s the challenging part, right?
Turning something we know is good for us into a habit and repeating it daily is the hard bit.
It’s easy to take a walk on a sunny Saturday afternoon when you feel like it.
But taking a walk every afternoon, especially when you don’t feel like it, is where the real challenge lies.
Yet it’s in that exact space where growth happens!
Why This Mindset Reduces Pressure and Overwhelm
I’ve found that the mindset that we’re only ever one decision and, therefore, one habit away from changing the course of our lives is a helpful mental frame.
It reduces pressure and overwhelm, which can help us stay more consistent.
Our minds often make things seem bigger than they really are, leading us into overthinking and ultimately inaction.
I know; I’ve been there all too often. 👀
The concept I’m sharing helps break things down into smaller, more manageable steps, which makes taking action easier.
Remember: Action is the antidote.
Action is the magic, not-so-magic thing that gets us from where we are to where we want to be.
Not thinking about it. Not talking about it.
Doing it.
And when it comes to only ever being one habit away, the best step we can take is the first step toward integrating a new habit today!
Because that’s how habits are formed, right?
Habits are built by taking an action today, repeating it tomorrow, and then again the next day, and the next…
Until it becomes second nature.
Until it becomes a part of who we are and how we live. Research on habit and identity backs this up: habits tend to stick when they become tied to how we see ourselves, not just what we do.
My Own Habit: Walking as Identity
An example from my own life is that I’ve become somewhat known for walking, at least locally within my community and social circles.
I regularly reach 15,000 steps, often 20,000, per day.
It’s an integrated part of my life, something I now just do.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have days where my motivation wavers and going for a walk feels like an effort.
I absolutely have those days.
But it’s part of who I am. It’s how I live.
That’s the power of habit when it becomes part of your identity.
Of course, we want to make sure our habits help us, not hinder us. You can see how that could go wrong… 😬
And let’s be clear, for me and many, it doesn’t happen overnight.
It required me to keep showing up, day after day, until it no longer required much thought; I just did it.
One Habit Away From Changing the Trajectory of Your Life
My point being…
We’re only ever one habit away from changing the trajectory of our lives.
Remember that the next time you want to integrate a new behaviour, whether it’s walking, sleeping earlier, or even replacing a bad habit with a better one.
Whatever those habits are for you, they’re built one step and one day at a time.
In the words of Lao Tzu:
“A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”
And while I’m not a habit expert or guru of any kind, in my experience, it starts by focusing on what we do today and building on that over time.
Remember:
You’re only ever one habit away.
Pretty liberating, right?
Key Takeaways on Building Life-Changing Habits
- Knowing vs. Doing: Recognise that simply knowing something is good for you is different from consistently practising it. The real challenge lies in bridging that gap between knowledge and daily action.
- The value of One Habit: Embrace the idea that you are only one new habit away from changing the trajectory of your life. This perspective can feel liberating and remove the pressure of trying to change everything at once.
- Consistency is Key: The hardest part of forming a habit is repeating the action daily, especially on days you don’t feel motivated. True growth happens when you push through this resistance.
- Reduce Overwhelm: Thinking of change as starting with just one habit helps break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. This makes taking that first action much easier and combats the paralysis of overthinking.
- Habit Becomes Identity: When a habit is repeated enough, it becomes part of who you are, not just something you do. This shift in identity is what makes the behaviour stick for the long term, making it almost automatic.
- Start Today: The process to a new life trajectory begins with a single step. Focus on taking the action for your new habit today, and then repeat it tomorrow. That’s how lasting change is built.
FAQs for You’re Only Ever One Habit Away
What does it mean to be ‘one habit away’ from changing your life?
It’s a mindset that simplifies personal growth. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a long list of things you ‘should’ do, you focus on successfully integrating just one positive new behaviour until it becomes automatic. This single habit can create a ripple effect, changing the entire course of your life.
Why is it so difficult to stick with a new habit?
It’s easy to perform an action when you feel motivated, like going for a walk on a sunny day. The real challenge is consistency, showing up every single day, especially when you don’t feel like it. Our brains often resist this new routine until it becomes ingrained.
How does this ‘one habit’ mindset help with feeling overwhelmed?
Our minds can make goals seem enormous, leading to overthinking and inaction. By focusing on just one small, repeatable action, you make the process manageable. It shifts your attention from a huge, distant goal to a simple task you can do right now, which makes it easier to get started.
How does a habit become part of your identity?
A habit becomes part of your identity through consistent repetition. When you’ve walked every day for a year, you stop seeing it as a task and start seeing yourself as ‘a person who walks’. This internal shift makes the habit much easier to maintain because it aligns with your self-image.
What is the most important first step?
The most important step is simply to start. Take the first action today. Don’t worry about next week or next month. Habits are built by taking an action, repeating it the next day, and the day after that. Action is the antidote to overthinking.
