If I Had a Dollar, I’d Be Rich (For Every Time I Failed to Follow Through)

You know how I could have gotten rich?

By figuring out a way to put a dollar in my pocket every time I said I was going to do something and then failed to follow through.

It’s a well-studied phenomenon that we’re long on making promises to ourselves about reaching our health or weight loss goals but woefully short on execution for the length of time it takes to reach them.

It’s the time of year when New Year’s resolutions – and our best-laid plans – are hitting the exit.

There are countless reasons why we give up, and just as many studies documenting the percentage of New Year’s resolutions that fail, and how long it takes before they do.

But it comes down to one thing.

The difference between the successful and the unsuccessful is usually a matter of attendance.

Of all the things I’ve successfully accomplished, it was showing up, no matter what got in my way, that made it happen.

I don’t have a lot of talent as a weightlifter, or strength, for that matter. Prior to having my hip replaced, I struggled in the gym because I destroyed the left one during my years in the martial arts.

I wasn’t a talented martial artist, either. Almost everyone could kick higher than I could when I started. I struggled with flexibility.

But I showed up each day and put in the work. Thirty of us tested for gold belts. Two of us made it to the first advanced belt rank: fourth-degree brown. I was the only one who made it to black belt, then second- and, finally, third-degree. And I ended up being able to kick people taller than me in the head.

All with almost no talent.

Because I wanted it so badly, I was willing to go through almost anything to get it.

Obviously, that included destroying my hip but also breaking my nose and ribs (multiple times) along with my hands, feet and an assortment of other beating-induced ailments.

It didn’t matter because I loved it and I wanted what was at the end of the rainbow.

That certainly makes it a lot easier. But a lot of times we get trapped into seeing going to the gym, watching what we eat and hitting the sack early as a terrible burden without realizing its ultimate value.

I don’t always like going to the gym. Saying no to wings, fries and ten beers every night of the week doesn’t exactly fit the carefree lifestyle. And turning off the ball game to go to bed isn’t much fun either.

That’s not to say those things never happen but it’s not, and can’t be, the norm.

As I get older, being fit and healthy means having the ability to do the things I want to do when I want to do them.

And that’s the real reason we do this.

You know mine: riding motorcycles with my girl, seeing America with the wind blowing through my hair and then lugging a camera bag around once we get there. Of course, we need to make sure we have the energy to explore restaurants and see the sights while we’re there, too.

And we don’t want to ruin our health while we’re doing it so we can get back home and plan the next big adventure.

You have your ideal. It’s your “why” for showing up, doing the work and making sure you can make the most of your dream life.

So, I try my best to show up every day. And I usually do. I work hard when I’m there and then I get out and enjoy life. I work on nutrition. Whether I’m making something here or eating out, I make it delicious and I make it work for me. If I’m tinkering with something in the garage or watching the game, when it’s bedtime… it’s bedtime.

It leads to results, reaching goals and feeling great.

When I actually do it.

I still fall off the wagon. We all do. But I’ve learned to climb right back on. The worst thing you can do is get frustrated, run out in front of it and throw yourself under the wheels. That’s another genius move I’ve tried hard to perfect over the years.

We’ve all done it – and everyone does – but the successful pick themselves up, dust themselves off and keep moving forward.

Think about the CEO of your company. They might be a wonderful person or a complete asshole. They might be very talented. Maybe a combination. But I’ll wager they persisted in what they did – whether it was great work or kissing ass – until they got where they are now.

It takes showing up every day and doing the work.

We’ve told you many times before, “We don’t want the best you’ve ever had – we just want you to give the best you have today. And then do it again tomorrow and the next day.”

When you can show up every day and do the best you can – but still show up – the tomorrows will take care of themselves.

I’m on a journey just like you. I’ve been on many of them and I’m sure you have as well. They’re what makes life awesome.

So, enjoy the journey. The destination will follow.

Every time I’ve had success it’s because I showed up each day and did the work. The results “magically” followed because I did the things I needed to do even if I didn’t feel like it.

I can’t tell you the number of times I haven’t wanted to go to the gym. But I can tell you the number of times I’ve regretted doing it – zero.

Find a way to enjoy the process. Make it a way of life that’s comfortable for you. When you can make the journey enjoyable it’s a done deal. You’ll get there automatically.

Make your healthy lifestyle a journey and learn to enjoy it. If you do, the destination is assured. You’ll realize when you get there that it was the journey that was the most important, valued and treasured part.

You’ll live an awesome life doing all the things you’ve dreamed about while being healthy, fit, looking fabulous and feeling great.

So, the next time you want to cancel your workout, blow your nutrition or stay up late and watch TV instead of hitting the sack – I don’t want to hear about it.

Oh, and I want that dollar.

“Nothing will work unless you do.” - Maya Angelou

Regards,

Henry

If you need help building a healthy routine that includes restaurants, vacations and navigating the hectic modern world call us because that’s our mission. If you are, or know someone who is, using a GLP-1, you don’t want to take forever – but you want the results to be permanent – let us help.

We offer a comprehensive, full-service program and curriculum for building a lifestyle that provides the results you want, automatically, and then lets you to keep them.

Check out Our Thoughts on the Shifting Years website to see articles on workouts, nutrition (including recipes and diet plans) and on the power of sleep.

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