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The Knowing-Doing Gap

You know what to do. So what's getting in the way?

The 2-Minute Knowing-Doing Gap Quiz

Discover what's driving your behaviour, and what becomes possible when you finally understand it.

There's something you know you need to do, but you haven't done it yet. What's most likely happening?

*

A

I'm thinking it through. I want to be sure I'm making the right call before I act.

B

I'm thinking about how it will affect everyone else and whether I'll upset or disappoint someone.

C

I keep telling myself I should be able to sort it out on my own, so I push myself harder.

D

I keep finding other things to do first. I'll get to it when I feel more ready.

You know you need to have a difficult conversation. What do you tend to do?

*

A

Rehearse it in my head, think through every possible response and keep changing what I'm going to say.

B

Soften what I really want to say because I don't want to create tension or hurt anyone.

C

Prepare myself to handle it well because I don't want to look emotional, difficult or incapable.

D

Put it off. There always seems to be a reason why today isn't quite the right day.

You have an important decision to make and there isn't an obvious right answer. What happens?

*

A

I look for more information, more opinions or one more piece of evidence before deciding.

B

I think about what everyone else wants and lean towards the option that creates the least disruption.

C

I make the decision and then work incredibly hard to make sure I prove it was the right one.

D

I leave it open for as long as possible and hope the answer becomes clearer with time.

Someone asks you to take on something extra when you already have plenty on your plate. What are you most likely to do?

*

A

Start mentally rearranging everything to work out how I could possibly fit it in.

B

Say yes because saying no feels uncomfortable or I don't want to let them down.

C

Say yes because part of me thinks I should be able to handle it.

D

Avoid giving a definite answer for as long as I can.

You decide you're going to change something - a habit, a boundary, a routine or the way you respond. What usually happens next?

*

A

I think about the best way to do it, research it and try to get the plan right before I begin.

B

I try to make the change without inconveniencing anyone else.

C

I go in hard, set a high standard and get frustrated with myself if I don't maintain it perfectly.

D

I genuinely intend to start... tomorrow, Monday, next month, when things calm down.

Someone gives you feedback you weren't expecting. What tends to happen afterwards?

*

A

I replay the conversation and analyse what they said, what they meant and whether I missed something.

B

I immediately wonder whether I've upset them or need to change something to make things ok again.

C

I feel an urge to show them - and perhaps myself - that I'm capable.

D

I tell myself it doesn't matter and try not to think about it again.

Which of these would make the biggest difference to you right now?

*

A

Trusting my own judgement and being able to make a decision without analysing it to death.

B

Making choices based on what matters to me without needing everyone else to be happy with them.

C

Feeling that what I do is enough, without constantly needing to achieve, fix or prove something.

D

Taking action before I feel completely ready.