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Category: Living Well

The Make-It Or Break-It Point For Goal Achievement

Published on December 30, 2021

Most people plan their goals with their best self in mind—the self that is well rested, in a good state, on-time, and excited.

This is a mistake.

Goals should be planned with our worst self in mind—the self that is tired, in a bad state of mind, late, and unmotivated.

Because it is in these moments—when we are feeling our worst—that we decide the fate of our goals.

If this “worst self” version catches you off guard, and you weren’t prepared for life’s curveballs—failure is almost inevitable.

Because if there are no other guarantees in life, I know this one to be true for sure: life will never unfold perfectly. There will be curveballs galore, obstacles like mad, and times when—for no apparent reason—you’re just not feeling like doing what you know you need to do.

Be ready for those days.

Have backup plans, a flexible mindset, and reliable systems in place.

But, above all, make sure you are doing what you are doing for the right reasons—strong, intrinsically motivated, deeply felt reasons.

Because the stronger the why—the easier it will be for you to continue forward despite the frustrations that are thrown your way. And the weaker the why—the harder it will be.

Don’t fool yourself—frustrations will be thrown at you.

The only question is… will you be ready?

Inspired by Jessica via Twitter. Thank you.

Exercise Shouldn’t Be Torture

Published on December 28, 2021

“Exercise should be a celebration of what your body can do. Not a punishment for what you ate.”

Dylan Thacker, Twitter

Most people try to “punish” themselves into being fit.

They “kill” themselves at the gym. Sign up for military-like bootcamps. Pay personal trainers to scream at them when they’re fatigued. There’s a whole lot of self-induced torture going on in the exercise world today.

And then those same people are surprised when they’re miserable and hate the idea of exercise. And it’s no wonder!

I’m here to tell you this doesn’t have to be your reality.

You don’t have to torture yourself into good health. In fact, this shouldn’t be your path towards good health—it’s an ugly path. As Dylan says above, it should be a celebration.

So, how do we celebrate exercise? By aligning ourselves with forms of movement that we enjoy doing (at least more so than others).

Because let’s not make exercise into something it’s not—it’s always going to involve work. It just doesn’t have to involve torturous work. Some ideas:

  • Sports—Focus on the ones you enjoy more than others. Many of my friends play in recreational sports leagues—you could, too.
  • Movement based activities—Martial Arts has acted as a rock in my exercise life since I was 11. Dance and yoga are good ideas, too.
  • Play—got kids? Play with them and a good workout is virtually guaranteed. Don’t have kids? Play an exercise video and follow along from home with someone who makes movement enjoyable.

There’s a million ways to move. Experiment and find what works for you.

Don’t be like most people—celebrate your way to being fit instead.

When It’s Hard Is When It Matters

Published on December 25, 2021

Mad respect to the woman I saw out running today…

  • in 40° F temperature
  • while it’s poring rain
  • on Christmas morning

…I have a solid feeling she’s gonna crush her goals in 2022.

What are you willing to do to achieve your goals in ’22?

A Toast…

Published on December 24, 2021

Inspired by a quote shared with me by a friend, I propose a toast.

The holidays aren’t an easy time for many, so as we undergo the next few days let us…

Mend a quarrel. Life is too short.

Seek out a forgotten friend. There’s no greater feeling than that of feeling seen and heard.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Somebody has to give first. Let it be you.

Write a letter or send a text to someone to let them know you’re thinking about them.

Give conversation some grace and reply with fun, light-hearted, compassionate answers.

Encourage youth and be a true model of the holiday spirit.

Follow through with what you say you’re going to do. Keep a promise. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Forgo a grudge. There’s no better time than today to call a truce. And maybe not even for them, but for you.

Forgive an enemy. Fill your heart with love.

Apologize.

Seek first to understand. Listen fully before you reply.

Think first of someone else.

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more. Judge a little less.

Express your gratitude. Thinking gratitude only robs it if it’s true power.

Welcome a stranger. Include an outsider. Invite a loner.

Gladden the heart of a child. With things other than things.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. We’ll never get to experience it again the way we will today.

Speak your love and then speak it again.

Much love to each of you and may the true spirit of the holidays live fruitfully through you.

Cheers!

Living Your Dream Life

Published on December 21, 2021

Living your dream life won’t happen accidentally, just like becoming a black belt won’t happen accidentally.

It won’t happen just because you want it to.

It won’t happen even if you beg it to.

Living a life of your dreams—becoming a black belt—only happens on purpose.

And not just after being on purpose for one day, one month, or even one year.

Trying to balance the entire weight of your lifetime on such a small foundation of purposeful action isn’t realistic. Solid foundations take time.

And unless there’s a solid foundation, a quickly-realized-life-of-your-dreams will quickly collapse.

So, rather than trying to hack your way to a six-figure passive income—commit to the long-term game you’re playing and learn how to love playing the game.

Because what you’ll eventually realize is that loving the game is more closely related to living the life of your dreams than “winning” the game ever will be.

Complain Less. Paint More.

Published on December 17, 2021

Life is a piece of art that we slowly create over time.

We don’t get to choose the paint, but we get to choose what to paint.

Choosing not to paint, to complain about your paint, to curse your paint, to hate your paint, to compare and mope about your paint vs. other people’s paint—to expend energy doing anything that involves not painting your masterpiece—is a waste. Period.

Complain less about what colors you’ve been granted and focus more on how you’ll create a masterpiece with those very colors instead.

There aren’t any colors or color combinations that can’t be turned into masterpieces.

Never forget it.