common sense is not common action

I heard this in a book I just finished called The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor – and boy is it true!

We all know the right, common sense, thing to do, but that doesn’t mean we do it! Just because it’s common sense, doesn’t mean it’s common action.

In see this in my life all the time when it comes to my diet. I have hypothyroid and low blood sugar – and I know if I eat gluten, sugar, or even dairy – I’m going to be sick. Common sense tells me not to do it! But then I see the bread 🥖 and cheese 🧀 and cookies and even wine 🍷 and OMG it’s so hard!

Achor goes on to explain we can’t rely on willpower alone because it’s exhausting. YES I agree! We need to have a plan in place before we are faced with the decision making action.

For me, I’ve been trying to plan ahead for events and think about what I’m going to drink or eat before I go. I’ll order a lemonade 🍋 or flavored tea 🍵 to calm my sugar craving (instead of wine!), or I’ll even eat something small before I go so I’m not starving and craving sugar.

What do you struggle with when it comes to common sense vs. common action? How can a plan of action help you?!