And I mean, lets be real - even if you're not one of those new years resolution people, I know deep down somewhere you've made a little promise to yourself. Let's start off with a small fill in the blank session.
This year, I will be better at ______________________.
This year, I will make more time for _____________________.
This year, I will invest in strengthening my relationship with _____________________.
This year, I will spend less time ________________________.
Have you mentally filled them in? Good.
Now, to quickly give you a recap on my LAST new years eve, I can pretty much tell you what all of the answers to these were.
It went something like this:
This year, I will be better at STICKING TO MY GOALS
This year, I will make more time for MYSELF.
This year, I will invest in strengthening my relationship with MYSELF.
This year, I will spend less time FEELING INADEQUATE.
Based on how I feel right now, I can tell you I did a pretty good job at sticking to the above. HOWEVER.
I have a suggestion for you all when making this years resolutions...
BE SPECIFIC.
Don't be too hypothetical. Come up with SPECIFIC ACTIONS. Come up with DEADLINES. GOALS are just DREAMS with a DATE ATTACHED.
And 90% of dreams attached to an end date come true. Why? I think it's because it hangs over your head. It motivates you. It FORCES you to take action. Let me share something else with you. Since 2008, I have spent almost every new years eve with three people. My two sisters, and my friend Mary. And every NYE, no matter where we were, we made it IMPERATIVE to sneak off somewhere and quickly share our resolutions with each other. And we attempted to stick it out with each other. However, more and more I found ourselves saying the same thing over and over again. We had LISTS of things that we wanted to do, but the burning question EXCUSE was that we didn't know where to start. And I vividly remember us on blaming this on things. We didn't have money, we didn't have time, we didn't have resources, we didn't have the wisdom, or the connections. But I've realized more over the past six months that all of these things really are excuses, not actual problems. And that usually derives from fear holding you back. I was definitely afraid of my own greatness. I was afraid of what I was capable of...and it was this weird mix between thinking that I couldn't do it, and wondering what would happen when I DID do it. Is that making sense? I really didn't want to make this blog too long but think about it.... you have two feet and a heart beat? You can DO this.
But DOING whatever it is you're thinking about involves a few things. Number one:
SET A GOSH DARN DEADLINE.
Okay, so maybe you miss a few goals, or you end up being late on them. Are you gonna let the fear of missing your deadline hold you back? WORK towards it! It makes it a lot more concrete. Take it from me. MAKE YOUR VISION BOARD. Write that little sticky note in your mirror. Number two:
FORGET ABOUT "SOMEDAY"
I read in this book "The Slight Edge" that there is NO such thing as someday. Depressing, right? WRONG.
Let me tell you right now, there is NO SUCH THING as someday. "Someday" will NEVER come. It will always be unattainable, because people always act like its so far off in the distance, and subconsciously, people then KEEP it far off in the distance. People also act like there is something out there WAITING for them, which is a wonderful thought... we LOVE rags to riches stories. But a lot of them happen because of a lot of WORK that was put into them. Don’t wait for when you have the money, when you have the time, when you have the confidence, when you have the resources.
A writer writes. If you're a writer... write.
Don't sit around humming and hawing about the quantum leap or the break-through, or the miracle. There is only today and you need to make a start on whatever your goal is today. And that encompasses making small decisions that will help you in the long run. How many people in 1969 were in shock an awe when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon? EVERYONE in the world. And the popular quote for that was "one small step for man." When in reality, it wasn't one small step for man. It was a huge LEAP for man. Landing on the moon? GET OUTTA HERE! But I can tell you right now, that giant leap for man was actually, a hundred thousand small steps from a TEAM of other people. And the first step was the person who DECIDED that walking on the moon might not be impossible.
Make it FRIGGIN happen folks.
All of this was just paraphrased out of memory from the book The Slight Edge, which you guys should ALL check out, by the way! Number three:
JUST START
Jump into it. This was literally the excuse I made for myself over and over and over again. Me, my sisters and my friend. We didn't know where to start. We didn't know how to start. The secret is just STARTING. "SUCCESS is the progressive realization of a WORTHY idea." You have an idea in mind? Start 'er up. And on that note, don't let ANYONE tell you whether or not your idea is worthy or not. If people did that, Neil Armstrong wouldn't have landed on the moon.
Like I said before, don't wait for you to have that big break moment that will tell you how to start. I used to do that. I used to ask God to send me signs. BIG flashing signs as to how to go about doing things. And I'm not saying that my recent drive to work has derailed my faith in ANY way, or has made me think that those big Godly signs won't come. I truly believe they will. But come on. You can get from life what you put INTO it. If its God or the universe giving you a sign that holding you back, or keeping you waiting... I guarantee the universe or God is waiting to see what you're MADE of. To see if you'll have the guts to dive in, without even knowing what the hell is gonna happen. THEN, after small consistent changes, you'll get you'r breakthrough moment. And when you do, people will think it's a quantum leap, or a rags to riches story. When in reality, you've been working your tail off all along.
Last but not least, remember:
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE
The only way to get better at something is to keep doing it. Don't be afraid about how much your first book is going to flop. Just start writing it. It's time well spent.
SO, LETS REVIEW...
This year, I will be better at STICKING TO MY GOALS
What goals? Name three of them. How do you plan on sticking to them? By getting up early? By taking the stairs instead of the elevator? By making to-do lists? You HAVE to be specific.
This year, I will make more time for MYSELF.
How do you plan on doing this? An hour every morning to read something motivational? One weekend night staying in instead of partying? Telling your boss you are N/A one day a week for some thing random and made up, when in reality you just need a break? Be specific.
This year, I will invest in strengthening my relationship with MYSELF.
What makes you feel the need to do this? And what aspect of yourself? Your body? Your mind? Are you unhappy with how you look or feel? Are you desperately wanting to get in shape? If so, how will you do this? A gym membership? An at home program? And if so, how many days will you work out? What will you do on each day? BE SPECIFIC.
This year, I will spend less time FEELING INADEQUATE.
What makes you feel inadequate? Is it a specific person? Are you willing to let that person go? Is it a program that you want to get into for school but you don't feel like you have the marks to get into it? Are you going to study every night, or volunteer to build up your resume? BE SPECIFIC.
Now. You know I couldn't end without mentioning this...
Last but not least, I can tell you from whole-hearted experience that getting in shape this year CHANGED MY LIFE.
It changed my attitude and perspective. It increased my work ethic. It made me realize that things are a work in progress, even MY OWN BODY. It stressed dedication, consistency, and doing things when I didn't WANT to (NO one likes getting up to work out. You're not alone). It made me realize I could do better when I messed up. I'm by no means shredded. This blog is called Muscles WITH Meags, not muscles BY meags. I'm inviting you WITH me, on a JOURNEY. And even though I focus on the positive, I have messed up. In fact the entire month of December has been a WRITE OFF in regards to clean eating. But Im sure as hell not sinking into the mindset that I was in last year. That a flat stomach just "isn't for me." Or that I can "NEVER" lift weights because I have scrawny arms. Or that I've already missed the most so maybe I'll just start tomorrow...or next week...or "SOMEDAY."
SCREW THAT! It's hard, but at least now I know I can do it. With consistent effort, that is.
I ALSO know that getting in shape is undoubtedly the NUMBER ONE resolution people make for themselves. Let me put it to you straight. North America is obese. DANGEROUSLY obese. I'm trying to END that trend. Not because fat people should be shamed, but because heart disease is the leading cause of DEATH in North America. Because an apple nowadays probably gives us a quarter of the nutrient value it did a hundred years ago. Because why wouldn't you want to FUEL your body properly!? It can do so many amazing things, things you don't even know it is capable of!
If getting in shape is one of your resolutions, please... let me HELP you. I LOVE it. I LIVE for it. I'm GOOD at it. We cannot hold a torch to light anthers path without brightening our own. I'm doing this for you to help you, to help me. Helping people is what I'm CALLED to do, it's what I CHOOSE to do. And, if it eases your mind, with your program purchase I COACH YOU FOR FREE people!
My challenge group for this January is called Stretch out The Stress. It's yoga and pilates based and will help us to stretch our bodies, detox our spirit and ease our minds all at once. Not to mention, you'll probably get in the best shape of your life. PLEASE. If anything I said today resonates with you, join me on this journey. Be willing to INVEST in yourself. Stop feeling inadequate. Stop filling your voids with clothes, and electronics, and MATERIAL, and put that money and effort into your BODY. The rewards will be greater. I promise you that.
I'll be back soon to recap my year with you all.
The way to get started is to QUIT talking and START DOING.
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