Happy Global Running Day! It's absolutely pouring outside right now so rather than recommending that you all go for run, as we often do here, I'm just going to recommend taking a few minutes to listen to this special message. Rumor has it that resisting the urge to click away to something more entertaining on YouTube actually burns more calories than running anyway. Anyway, in yesterday's video I stated that I was committed to showing up here each day to share on a topic I believe will be helpful to the Fit & Able community. Well, here I am, so for today at least I have honored my commitment but I have a question for you. What commitment did you make to yourself that you would take action on today? If you're willing to share, please leave a comment below. It's always helpful to know that there are others out there who share our struggles. I hope you did take a few minutes to think about what you wanted to get out of the rest of 2021 and started think about what steps you need to take to achieve that. No amount of planning, resources, wishful thinking, etc. will take you farther than making that commitment to yourself upfront. If in the past you have felt that you've failed in your commitments or even have never fully been committed to yourself, here is a simple trick to help get you started. Imagine two versions of your future - however far out: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, whatever - where in one you made the commitment to face the struggle and do the work and in the other where you didn't. Imagine the difference not just between those two futures but, more importantly, between those two versions of YOUR FUTURE SELF. If the goal, or goals, you are striving for are so important to your FUTURE health, happiness, or wellbeing then you should be able to feel NOW the emotional impact that difference will have on you. One future should make you feel proud and fulfilled and looking for your next mountain to climb. The other should shake you to your core like a bad nightmare. When you make, or renew, your commitment to yourself today think about those feelings. And every day after when you are doing the hard work and hitting obstacles along the way, try to tap into those feelings as fully as you felt them now. Ideally, one future will draw you to it and the other will make you run from it as hard as you can. One of those futures is inevitable through inaction. The other is most certainly achievable but requires struggle. I've heard this so many places that I don't even know who said it originally but a quote I always try to keep in mind is this: "A year from now you'll wish you had started today." Which of those futures you make happen is entirely up to you. Starting today you will be heading towards one or the other anyway so why not make the choice of which path you follow? Don't just be a disappointed little leaf in the wind; be the strong, proud oak tree instead. Oak trees are hidden in acorns; and it may take many years for that tree to grow tall and majestic. BUT that tree will never grow unless that acorn is planted TODAY. So, to all the little acorns watching this, go discover that rich, fertile soil of the future where you have made the commitment to yourself and bury yourself deep in it. One day you'll get to enjoy the shade. If you have any questions about today's topic or have suggestions for any topics you would like me to talk about in future videos, please drop a comment below or shoot me an email at info@fitandable.net! As always, thank you for racing with Fit & Able.
