The Say/Do ratio. A concept I’ve never had a name for, but it was called your say/do ratio in one of my books the other day and I liked it so stole it!
Basically we all have conversations with ourselves to some extent, a proportion of these conversations are about things we should, could or want to do.
Things like I’ll go on a run today, I’ll plan my meals for the week, I’ll prep my tea the night before, I’ll set my alarm 10 minutes early tomorrow and do that thing that will move me forward, I’ll post something useful in my Facebook Group every day next week 🙄.
Generally if we are honest with ourselves our brain knows how to make progress in a lot of areas of life (sometimes it can be a bit over enthusiastic but hey ho) and often we manage to fudge over these little thoughts and convince our brains into not doing these things when the time comes.
I’ll go on a run today – Oh but it’s raining I’ll go tomorrow.
I’ll plan my meals for the week – But I don’t know what I’ll fancy I’ll decide on the day.
I‘ll prep my tea the night before. – I don’t have time I’ll just sort it when i get in from work (while scrolling through Facebook).
I’ll set my alarm – But that means I need to go to bed earlier and well… Netflix.
I’ll post in my Facebook Group – I don’t know what to put, I’ve nothing useful to put in, there’s enough stuff floating around Facebook I’m sure they will see.
Sometimes these are genuine reasons and things come up. Sometimes you’ve over stretched yourself and not doing things is simply part of being flexible.
But often it’s just a little bit of bullshit to get you off the hook – you can fool your brain but often you know in your gut if it’s real – do the mirror test!
These tiny decisions make up what you prioritise
What you prioritise influences your habits.
Your habits are about 90% of what you do.
90% of what you do is your LIFE!
Enter the say/do ratio
How often you do what you say to yourself you will do?
Simple. Honest. No BS Assessment.
The higher the ratio the more likely you are to feel like you’re “smashing it” “on it” and the ever elusive “motivated” because your behaviour is probably quite well aligned with your goals and what you REALLY want.
Short term you probably do want to watch another episode of corrie, but long term you probably want to move towards a healthier, happier version of you – Which means get the arse to bed!
If your ratio is low you probably feel shit, demotivated and pretty crap about yourself.
Start with some easy tasks to get some
momentum before you tackle some of the bigger fish.
Sam Wilkinson Personal Training 