Ok so you have read the books, you have watched the TED talks and on top of that, you have listened to the podcasts. And yet, life is still looking suspiciously and frustratingly similar to last year.
You have noticed the disorientating gap between knowing and doing – this is the self-help hangover.
Current Trap
See self help is like a buffet and yes I am aware of the dangers of analogous thinking. But bear with me. As the start of the blog, you sample everything but never sit down for a full meal. Why? I have found the answer is that consuming ‘self-help’ content actually feels like progress.
A. It gives you dopamine
B. It feels comfortable
C. It delays the risk that you actually might try something and therefore possibly fail
Truth is, you are not stuck because of a shortage of information or knowledge. You are stuck because you are failing to apply what you already know.
Safety
This is why consuming feel a lot safer than changing.
For starters, it is low effort. You can read a book on productivity while sat in bed drinking your morning coffee. Sound familiar? How about actually reworking your schedule and making 15 minutes blocked out for your One Thing? That’s work.
Social acceptance. You can brag to people that you are ‘researching’ your next move. Sounds exciting, sexy. Much more sexy than ‘I have been avoiding action for the past 3 months’. It’s socially acceptable procrastination.
You also get to keep your identity in tact. Providing you are ‘learning’ you do not have to face any discomfort of a new project or a new version of yourself.
Equation
Uncomfortable but worth doing: Information Consumption – Action = Entertainment
Now I am not saying that self help is bad. I am saying that action is key. If you are not above to convert into concrete steps, then it is not helping you – it is just content.
Break Your Cycle
Now is your time to actually start to limit your intake. Resist Amazon’s recommended list. Say no to new books, do not download the next podcast and please no more courses. You have to implement at least something from the last piece of content that you consumed. (Yes, even the high interaction shiny new one everyone is posting about on LinkedIn.)
Ensure your application is in real time. Learn one concept or takeaway, act upon it immediately, observe what happens, adjust. Repeat this new cycle until it has become part of your routine.
Change your metrics. Rather than adding to your bookshelf and counting read books or hours read in week. Measure by actions taken. EG. ‘I read 200 pages on networking’ becomes ‘I did 3 networking events or calls this week’.
Forcing action. Make it harder for yourself to just keep passively consuming content. Printable checklists, time-boxing templates, daily reflection sheets – all helpful resources.
The Momentum Starter Kit is literally made for this.
Doing is Growing
Growth is literally a side effect of doing. You do not need the next big self-help idea. You have enough already collected; you need to put your knowledge to use and maximise it.
The person who applies 3 good ideas will always beat the person who collects 300.
You are already ready to start. Stop trying to ‘feel ready’ by learning even more.
Get Ahead
Download the Momentum Starter Kit from the free Downloads – with the 3-Step Momentum Sheet & 2 Minute Flow Builder to:
Turn your ideas into small, testable actions
Build consistency without waiting around for motivation to strike
Actually take action and do thing you have been ‘researching’
Smarter Goals. Sharper Mind. Fewer Excuses 