Know Better. Do Better.

Many of the personal development gurus, authors, and bloggers I follow are talking about their word for the year. They’ve chosen a word to inspire how they live their lives in 2019. I just need to know: Is it okay if I have four words? I’m starting to think that’s my thing. Four words. Last year I had four words that inspired me (see post here for my words of 2018). This year, my mantra is “Know Better; Do Better.”

I’d say this is more of a philosophy than just a phrase for 2019. This year more than ever, I’m committed to putting more action behind the idea. In a world where we’re constantly encouraged to give ourselves grace, what if we demanded excellence from ourselves? Let me explain.

Forget to pack your kids’ lunch? Give yourself grace. Constantly losing your temper with your kids? Do better. Splurged on a designer pair of sunnies? Grace. Constantly going over your family budget or sabotaging your finances? Do better. Snap at your spouse? Grace (and ask for forgiveness). Constantly showing disrespect or being unloving to your spouse? Do better. Grabbing fast food when you’re in a pinch for time and energy? Grace. Regularly feeding your family an unhealthy diet? Do better. Put on a few holiday pounds? Grace. Avoiding the steps that could help you shed the weight you’ve told yourself you would for the last five years? Do better.

If we’re not careful, we can so easily use “grace” as a crutch to not be the best version of ourselves we can be. “Grace” can turn into an excuse on why it’s just too hard to follow through on your plans and achieve your goals. Ask me how I know.

You see, for much of my life, follow through has been a challenge for me. It’s not that I’m not good enough, smart enough, educated enough, or capable enough, it’s that I’ve given myself “grace” in the small things that seemed insignificant at the time, but were really just excuses to not put in the hard work that would have led to success.

Know Better

On the other hand, I’m incredibly self-reflective and hold myself to a high standard. When I realize I’m lacking in a given area of my life, I can’t ignore it. When parenting is especially hard, I go to the experts. I read books, listen to podcasts, listen to the One Place App, and do it all over again. This is the same principle I apply to parenting, eating, cooking, my faith, my habits, my finances, etc. Truth bomb: there’s too much information out there for you not to seek help. What area of your life do you wish to improve? There’s an expert for that. People way smarter than I have done the research, written the books, given Ted Talks, and they’re there for the taking.

Do Better

Now, for the hard part. It’s the doing that makes the difference. I’m not kidding when I say there are books I’ve reread several times because I constantly need refreshing. It’s so easy to get pumped about implementing a new discipline strategy or a more intentional way of interacting with my spouse, but oh, how life gets ahold of me. I so often revert back to old habits. Do you find this is true for you, too? When you hit this wall, remember you now know better. Refresh yourself. Go back to the books. Listen to a new podcast. What’s out there to serve you? Make knowing better a daily habit for you. Then follow through and do better. Your life and those you do life with will be better for it.

Join me in making this a year of Knowing Better and Doing Better. See how I stay inspired here!