Are you tired of discovering something worthwhile, that you truly believe could change your life, only to forget all about it the next day (or week)? 

Whether I was reading a book and they did something I want to add into my life, or there’s a new skill I want to incorporate into my toolbox, the challenge comes in moving from concept to practice. 

I’m sure you can relate. 

I’m not talking about forming a new habit, though that’s not a bad synonym. The idea of applying what you have learned goes deeper than just a habit change. 

It takes effort to put something into practice as a regular part of your life on an instinctive level. 

You read that new parenting book and are excited about some of the tips and strategies they teach. But then, that situation with the kids happens again, and you react the the same as you always have. And you wonder… Isn’t there a better way?

Or the character in a novel is inspiring. Someone you want to let influence you. But you already moved on to the next thing, and barely remember what it was you wanted to emulate.

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Putting it Into Practice 

Carrying through with what you have learned does take some strategy, and some time to put into practice your desired changes. 

Why Should I Put This Into Practice?

First, be sure you can put into words WHY this new thing is worth doing. Can you answer the question of why? Is it because it seems like it will make your life better? Because everyone else is doing it? Because that celebrity says it’s worthwhile?

That’s an often overlooked but critical piece of information, because without it, you’re way more likely to give up or forget all about this new project. 

What would Jesus think of this? Will it make something less stressful or take less time, creating more margin in your world? 

Understanding your reason will help you keep on track when things get difficult. Make a list you can study when it feels like you’re going in circles. Because that happens. And if you use your imagination, you can compile a few statements that will help. One to encourage your forward motion, and maybe an antonym. A statement with the opposite emphasis, focused on giving up. That one may have some real emotion. but it could easily be the most helpful, because it’ll make you stop and think.

How Will I Apply What I’m Learning?

Having a clear plan in place will make taking this idea from idiom or theory to an actual part of your reality so much easier.

Without a goal and benchmarks, how will you know if you’re on the right track?

So take the time to make a plan. Break your goal (parenting more consistently?) down into (baby) steps that can be measured. Maybe even mini-goals. Set a time you’re going to check in and make note of progress and anything that needs to change (30, 60, 90 days).

What Tools Will Help Me Implement This?

Take advantage of the tools available. There are so many out there these days.

• Use alarms and reminders freely as you begin to accomplish these things in your everyday life. 
• Notes on the mirror, fridge, or steering wheel are also helpful.
• Grace Goals is a method of goal setting that has a strong focus on how to implement what you learn on a granular level. Everything I mentioned above, plus so much more!

Something You Want to Put into Practice?

Do you want to be a better example for your kids? Maybe you want to play with them more often, instead of losing your cool.

Maybe you want to give meaning to your weekends, instead of loading them with activities and chores. Prioritizing rest in a new way?

Or you want to find time to put words to your life experiences. Writing in your journal or crafting the next must-read book for people who are going through an area of ‘war’ you’ve already conquered. 

What is in your past that needs to be dealt with or shared? Either as a warning or a path of victory?

Perhaps you want to figure out how to stop automatically responding in an unhealthy way. It’s kept you ‘safe’ for a long time but only on the surface. Inside, it’s causing all kinds of harm.

What is motivating you to make some changes? And how will you put them into practice?