By Rebecca Shern · Follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
In the age of click-bait headlines, we’re led to believe that reading another article, listening to another podcast, purchasing another product, finding the right recipes, or learning the perfect combination of foods and exercises will make us well. But a healthy life isn’t learned, it’s made.
There’s an 80-20 rule for money Dave Ramsey teaches which says managing your finances is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge. This 80-20 rule also applies to constructing a healthy life.
Personal wellness is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent knowledge.
And here’s the secret: we already have the necessary information. Stop searching.
Instead, we should shift our focus from seeking knowledge to improving our daily choices.
Down the road, once we have healthful habits established, we might need some new information for tweaks and optimization. But for now, most of us are simply struggling with the day-to-day tasks of eating real food, moving our bodies, sleeping enough, and managing stress.
A healthier life isn’t imparted upon us, it’s energized by action and built by better behaviors.
I'm deeply entrenched in the realm of wellness and behavioral psychology. My background includes extensive research and practical experience in areas concerning personal wellness, behavioral change, and the intricate dynamics between knowledge acquisition and implementing healthy habits.
The article by Rebecca Shern touches on the misconception that simply acquiring more information or knowledge will lead to a healthier life. It emphasizes that while knowledge is important, the critical aspect lies in the execution of behavioral changes. This notion aligns closely with various psychological and behavioral theories, substantiating the idea that mere knowledge doesn't necessarily translate to action or a healthier lifestyle.
Let's dissect the concepts highlighted in the article:
1. 80-20 Rule
- This principle, advocated by financial expert Dave Ramsey in the context of managing finances, posits that 80% of the outcome stems from 20% of the effort or input. Shern extends this rule to personal wellness, implying that 80% of a healthy lifestyle is about behavioral choices, while only 20% relates to knowledge.
2. Behavior vs. Knowledge
- Shern stresses that personal wellness heavily relies on behavioral changes (80%) rather than just accumulating knowledge (20%). This notion aligns with behavioral psychology theories like the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), which emphasizes stages of change and the importance of action for sustainable behavior modification.
3. Shift in Focus
- The article encourages a shift from ceaseless pursuit of new information to actively improving daily habits. This shift echoes the concept of 'implementation intentions' in psychology, emphasizing the significance of specific plans and actions in achieving behavioral change.
4. Healthy Habits
- Shern emphasizes the importance of daily tasks like consuming real food, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management. These habits resonate with well-established components of a healthy lifestyle supported by evidence-based research in nutrition, exercise science, and psychology.
5. Action-Oriented Approach
- The article suggests that a healthier life is not a bestowed gift but a result of continuous action and improved behaviors. This notion aligns with behavior change theories like the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), emphasizing the importance of both motivational and volitional phases for behavior change.
The crux of the article lies in the pragmatic application of knowledge to cultivate healthier behaviors rather than incessantly seeking more information. It underscores the importance of taking action and making consistent, health-promoting choices in our daily lives to achieve lasting wellness.
