I hear the following statements regularly.
"I don't have enough time to exercise because of my work or my kids."
"I don't have the right equipment to get fit."
"I don't have enough money to join a gym or hire a trainer."
"Gyms are closed so I can't exercise!"
"My disease limits my ability, so why bother?"
"I'm too tired to workout!"
If any of these sentiments sound familiar, it is because most of us have made excuses for why we can't participate in a regular fitness program. It is so true that many factors are out of our control. Many obstacles present themselves on a daily basis.
Today, I want you to make a list of the things that you can control.
Think of one goal and ask yourself, what could you do today to get closer to making that dream a reality? Write it down. Try to list at least three items that you can control and post it somewhere where you will see it.
For example, "I will get up 15 minutes earlier or I will go to bed 15 minutes later and use those minutes to work on my goal." Or, "I will workout to one of Beth's Workout videos today because they cost less per use than that fancy Frappuccino that I buy from Starbucks!" Or, "I will talk to my doctor about how to best manage exercise and my disease."
We are very good at expressing what we lack in life, but I believe that making a physical list of factors that we can control, is a powerful way to shift our mindset from negative to positive. This is the first step toward goal achievement.
I will use myself as an example. Years ago, I began making vision boards on my office wall because I was tired of the sound of own my voice saying, "I want to write a book. I want to be a Level 4 Essentrics Instructor. If I only had more time, money and resources, I could do xyz."
I couldn't whine about it one more day. I had to do something, so I took a permanent marker to the wall that I see each day and wrote the following statements to build my self confidence:
"I am the creator of my life, whatever I can imagine will be."
"What is the next thing? Keep moving forward, not backward."
"Become an anxiety expert and get on with creating."
"It doesn't need to be perfect. Just get it done!"
"You are the spark. You have exactly what you need to get started."
I am not rich, I don't have the latest gear or tech but I am determined. In fact most of us are when we really believe in something. I have completed many goals because of this process. I maintain that vision boards help us to see the big picture and daily lists keep us on track.
I encourage you to make a short list first thing in the morning. Reserve 10 to 20 minutes a day for self improvement and before you know it, progress will be visible. Focus on the elements in your day that you can control and take it from there.
Reach out to me if you would like more support. I am happy to listen and offer assistance anyway I can. You are not alone.
See you soon,
Beth