Who doesn’t love a good motivational
quote? Whether it comes from Twitter or Grandma, there is no shortage of this
concise wisdom designed to inspire and encourage. These quotes often put a
smile on our face and warmth in our hearts. I post a quote of the week in my fitness
studio, use an app that gives me a quote of the day, and often tweet and
retweet my favorites. I don’t have a problem with most of these quotes; however…
There are a few popular quotes that I
emphatically disagree with, especially as it relates to my clients who are
doing their very best to create healthier lifestyles. Can you guess what gets me a bit perturbed about the following quotes?
1) Knowledge is Power!
2) When you know better, you do
better!
3) Where there’s a WILL, there’s a
WAY!
Did you catch it? These quotes suggest
that what is in your heart or head will bring about your goals! As it relates
to my business, these quotes suggest that health and fitness information and
strong willpower will lead to success. Many of my clients come to me with low self-confidence saying, “I
have zero willpower” or “I know what I’m supposed to do, I just don’t do it.”
They feel incapable and incompetent at creating change in their lives. But it’s
not their fault! What’s missing is the ACTION PLAN.
So let’s look at each of these quotes
closer and create an upgraded version:
“KNOWLEDGE IS POWER”
Um, no it’s not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m
a huge advocate of education for sure! I wish I could be a full-time student or
at the least, have a year to just read, because I really do have a love of
learning. But there is zero power in knowing something. The power comes from
putting that knowledge into action.
Upgrade: “Knowledge put into ACTION is
power!”
“WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, YOU DO BETTER”
Nowhere is this myth
more evident than in the obesity rates and sedentary lifestyle of Americans. Despite
the fact that there are more resources available to educate on and support a
healthy lifestyle than ever before, the CDC reports that over 67% of Americans
are overweight or obese and only 45% of adults engage in the minimum recommend
levels of exercise. We do “better” when we outline specific action steps to put
this information into practice.
Upgrade: “When you know better, you are responsible to ACT better!”
“WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY”
This quote suggest that if you have enough willpower, you can move
mountains to create your dreams. In reality, willpower is a limited, fluctuating
resource that is an unreliable source of “fuel”. Research shows that our
willpower is highest in the morning and then diminishes as the day goes on due
to all the tasks and choices we encounter (which is why late night snacking is
so common). Instead, creating a clear objective and implementing specific
action steps (the WAY) often leads to an increase in confidence and motivation
(the WILL).
Upgrade: “Where there’s a WAY, there’s an increase in WILL!”
Now
What…
If you’ve been following my blog you know that I now end all
posts with “Now What” action steps because, as this post explains, reading the
blog doesn’t do you any good if you don’t ACT on it. So, here’s your “Call to
Action” this month:
Find a motivational quote that hits
you in the heart…one that you feel was written just for you in this moment. Now
move that quote from your heart to your head; fueled by the feeling the quote creates, decide on one
specific ACTION STEP you can take this week to start to bring those words to
life. For example, one of my favorites is “It’s in the giving that you receive.”
I need to define exactly what specific “giving” I can do this week, to whom,
and when. And then….do it!
So, keep reading and re-tweeting those
motivational quotes as the world desperately needs encouragement and
positivity. But then challenge yourself to “walk the talk”…
Be MORE,
Coach Lisa
