How Bad Do You Want It?

It hasn’t been the greatest year to be a human. 2020, when we put this year in the rearview mirror, it will go down as a year when we were divided more than ever and pulled together by circumstances more than ever. Some have risen to the top while others have sunk to the bottom. I’ve leave it to your imagination to figure out who.

People are hoping the turn of 2021 will be better. I’m hoping it will be better, but we have limited control of our current situation. Thinking the calendar clicking over to 2021 will automatically improve your way of life is fanciful. Waiting for circumstances to change gives you and me and another excuse for inaction.

Sayings like ‘I’ll get in shape when the pandemic ends, or I’ll lose the pandemic 20 when the vaccine comes out. Or ‘I’ll stop eating or drinking (insert food or drink here) to finally lose the love handles when everything settles down.’

Waiting for circumstances to change so you can change is (I feel) another form of procrastination. How do I know? Because I have a PhD in procrastination and will look for any excuse not to start anything important. The question I ask myself (and you should too) is …….

New Year, New You?

I’m not a huge believer in New Year’s resolutions. My goals are not determined by the turn of the year but are things I try to work on most days of the year. Things like being a better

–         Father

–         Husband

–         Coach

–         Writer

–         Business owner

–         Friend

–         Human

And with this year being the way it is, I feel I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded. But using this year as an excuse feels like a copout. You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control how you react too to it. Sometimes my reactions haven’t been the best and that has affected people close to me and my bottom line.

The question I need to ask myself is how bad do I want it? Because all my excuses about this year will not get it done. It will weigh me down and I’ll end up just where I started. Or even worse.

Here’s A Little Perspective

It’s okay to feel bad and don’t let anyone tell you different. This year has been full of fake positivity. People saying whatever is happening to you is nothing because it could be worse. And this is true but what it does is minimizes your current feelings.

It’s okay to feel like shit but it’s not healthy to feel like this all the time. Whenever I get this state of mind, worn down by the events of the year, I remind myself of the people on the frontlines.

If I’m feeling beaten down, I can only imagine how they’re feeling and this little piece of perspective snaps me out of my funk and helps me focus on the task at hand.  Try this little piece of perspective (or whatever works for you) when you’re in a funk.

Like I said it’s okay to feel like crap but it’s not great for your health and well-being to feel like this all the time. If of course, you can help it. I’m in a fortunate position of being able to help it. Some unfortunately are not.

The Question Remains…….

If you have current health and fitness goals or any other goals, don’t use this year or waiting until the end of this year to start. Make a start now, no matter how small. A small change in the right direction is better than no start at all.

For me, strength is always a goal and I haven’t let up because of the pandemic or the holidays. Recently I bench pressed 225 pounds for one rep and did one chin up with a 45-pound dumbbell. Although this might not sound like a lot for some, both were a goal of mine.

Hopefully, my other goals will snowball.

Both are small positive steps in a better direction. Keeping my body active and my mind positive. Now think about small steps you could be taking towards a larger goal not using our current predicament as an excuse. And while you’re thinking these small steps, think how bad do you want it?  

Wrapping Up

It’s easy to come up with reasons excuses for not starting your health and fitness goals. You may think it’s too hard, the situation you find yourself in is not ideal or you lack the know how to get started.

Although you may feel these are valid excuses for procrastination, the thing you really should be saying to yourself is

How bad do you want it?

Either way, you’ll have your answer.

When you’re ready to get stuck into your goals, I can help.