Why Do People Know What to Do, But Still Don’t Do It?

This is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves.

Because most people don’t fail due to a lack of information.

They fail despite having it.

We live in a world where answers are everywhere. You can Google how to get fit, AI knows all, how to improve mental health, how to get sober, how to fix your finances, how to improve relationships. The information isn’t hidden. It’s accessible. It’s overwhelming.

So let me hit you with this and really think, why don’t people change? Why don’t we all have 6 packs? Lol

Because knowing what to do and doing it are two completely different things.

What stops people isn’t ignorance.

It’s avoidance. Avoidance of discomfort. Avoidance of honesty. Avoidance of responsibility. Avoidance of becoming someone new. Avoidance of the work YOU know you should do.

Most change requires a loss before it creates a gain. Hence the words, “rock bottoms.” You have to lose comfort. You have to lose excuses. You have to lose the identity that’s been protecting you, even if it’s also been destroying you.

That’s the part people avoid.

For a long time, I thought I needed more motivation. More insight. More clarity. What I actually needed was structure that forced honesty and built in accountability. You can’t just do it on vibes. I didn’t need a breakthrough moment. I needed daily proof that I could do what I said I would do. Start small. Make it so small it’s laughable.

People don’t change when they feel inspired.

They change when avoiding the work becomes more painful than doing it. Rock bottoms again.,

This is why motivation alone never lasts. Motivation is emotional. Feelings will come and go, but principles are FOREVER. Discipline is identity-based. Discipline is built when you do the work you don’t want to do, especially when no one is watching.

The work you’re avoiding is usually the work that exposes who you really are. That’s why it feels heavy. That’s why it feels uncomfortable. That’s why we delay it. It’s hard.

But on the other side of that work is confidence. Self-trust. Peace. Momentum. I promise you this. It’s always worth it. (saying this for myself.)

Real change doesn’t come from knowing more. It comes from doing less, consistently, with intention.

One honest routine.

One daily commitment.

One act of discipline repeated until it becomes who you are. So so so so so smallllllll.

You don’t need a new life.

You need a new relationship with the work you’ve been avoiding.

That’s where everything changes. Start today.

One love, Matt Kurtz