To Know and Not Do is Not Yet to Know

A few years ago, I learned a hard lesson about resilience—not from a book or a course, but from my own body. I had spent years prioritizing everyone but myself—my kids, my husband, my job, my family, my friends, even my dog. I told myself I didn’t have time to rest, play, or engage in mindfulness. I would get to it later, when things slowed down. But later never came.

Then one day, life threw me a loop and said, "No more". It was a beautiful September day. Once again, I had put everyone and everything ahead of myself. And well, it's a long story–but I fell, slamming the back of my head straight onto the pavement. No helmet. No warning. Bam—full stop. No more running. No more serving everyone else first. Suddenly, I had no choice but to slow down. If I pushed too hard, if I ignored my body’s signals, I would end up back in bed with unbearable pain. The message was clear: you can’t give from an empty cup. And yet, so many of us try to.

Buddha once said, "To know and not do is not yet to know." This phrase was repeated over and over in my yoga therapist training, and I get it now. Knowing something intellectually—like the importance of self-care—isn’t enough. We must act on that knowledge. Reading about meditation won’t bring you peace. Reading about breathwork won’t regulate your nervous system. Listening to a podcast on the benefits of exercise has no impact– it is engaging in these practices, even in the smallest ways that will transform you. Over time, they become second nature, shaping you into a stronger, happier, healthier person who can navigate stress and life’s inevitable ups and downs with more ease.

Resilience Is Built on Action

The American Psychological Association states that resilient individuals have behaviours, thoughts, and actions that make them resilient. Did you catch that? Resilience is cultivated through action. Specifically, engaging in practices that recharge your energy and support your well-being. Yet so many of the people I work with tell me they don’t have time to eat well, get enough sleep, move their bodies, practice mindfulness – or for self care in general. They feel stretched thin and overwhelmed. 

What's one practice you know supports you–but you haven't given yourself permission to prioritize yet?

The Power of Micro-Practices

In our Certified Resilience Coach Program, we teach a different approach: start small and start now. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to overhaul your lifestyle, we teach participants to engage in and create micro-practices—small, repeatable actions that, when done consistently, become wired into our limbic brain, making resilience second nature. These don’t require extra time—just a gentle shift in awareness. Try taking deep breaths while waiting for your coffee to brew, engaging in mindful breathing while driving, or walking in silence instead of listening to a podcast. One of our program participants created her own “No Tech 20” practice, where she intentionally avoids her phone for the first 20 minutes of the day. She uses this time to be present with herself—no distractions, no notifications—giving her space to start the day on her own terms before the world takes over. It can really be as simple as that.

Designing a Life That Supports Your Well-Being

Building resilience isn’t just about motivation—it’s also about designing your environment to support your success. If you want more energy, start by ensuring your home is stocked with nutritious food and not just what’s convenient. Use cues and triggers to incorporate well-being practices seamlessly into your day.

I often share how I use the time waiting for my water to boil to do extra breathwork instead of scrolling on Instagram. One of our program participants shared that she engages in mindfulness while putting on her makeup. Another participant goes for walking meetings and yet another decided to stretch before every zoom meeting. Creating a system to remember to take the actions that serve us is a key to success.

What cues and triggers could you use to remember to take breaks and reset your nervous system?

Don't Wait for a Wake-Up Call

I learned this the hard way. But you don’t have to wait for a wake-up call. Start now. What's one small action you can take today? What is one micro-practice, one tiny, intentional step you can take toward becoming the calm, resilient, joyful, and strong version of yourself? Remember, resilience isn’t something you check off a list—it’s something you live into, one small moment at a time. And when you come back to it again and again, that’s where the magic happens.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

In our programs, we help individuals and teams develop daily resilience practices that last—and the results speak for themselves. If you're ready to build resilience for yourself or your organization, let's connect.

Join our Certified Resilience Coach Program or invite us to deliver resilience training for your team. Not sure which option is best for you? Book a free Discovery Call here.