Well, It's the end of the second week of January and do you know what that means? That means that the last of the Thanksgiving to NYE partying and overeating (and whatever else you do to excess) is over and most of the people out there (maybe even one of you two people who actually read this) have already broken their New Year Resolutions! It's a factoid! 90% of the people who make 'em - break 'em within the first two weeks!
A few years ago, I found a way to get out out of this trap and it has actually worked pretty well, no really! No, I didn't decide that I would "no longer make resolutions", instead, I decided that I would resolve to create a plan of action for personal improvement each year - that (just happens to) coincides with the start of each year!
So what do I do - each year (starting the second week of January) I give up all my vices for 90 days and focus on self-improvement! No drinking, no smoking, no red meat. How do I do this? Get this - I buy my favorite beer & put it in the fridge; I buy my favorite smokes & put them in my humidor; I make sure I have a couple of bottles of my favorite wines; then I put a picture of a nice big juicy steak on my fridge (I don't freeze steak...)!! Why would I do this? Because it's excellent motivation for the gym! Just think - 90 days of exercise, eating well, and no vices - it's a great challenge! Did I just hear a collective groan from both of you?
My friends, you all may think I'm nuts, but I know that it's good for me on so many levels; physical, mental, spiritual. If you never stretch yourself, how will you ever know what you're capable of? Resolutions are hard work, and they should be because they are supposed to mold your character. They should be significant improvements that impact your life over time, and not just for some temporary moment in time. When you are not preoccupied with entertaining yourself - it's amazing how much time there is in the day!
So why am I telling you this? Because I believe that most people, just like me, will find it very exciting to know that when you are capable of setting your mind to something and can achieve a simple, small goal or two by challenging yourself - you grow, you stretch yourself and that's a life lesson that's worth sharing! Who knows, perhaps your children, or a coworker, or a friend will see you dream, struggle, and emerge victorious and be inspired to try it themselves! It's pretty cool, how that little confidence booster suddenly allows you the option to Think BIG! After all - isn't that in part of what our great country was founded on in the first place - a burning desire to make the most of ourselves?
Live Well - Be Well!
Stephen
No comments:
Post a Comment