Decisions and Choices

Decisions by themselves are worthless.  We make decisions all the time.  There is no guarantee that something will come of that decision.  What if I told you, "I have decided that I am going to lose 20 lbs. this year."?  Does that really mean anything?  What if I were eating a piece of chocolate cake while I said it?  What if I told you "I have decided I am going to get out of debt this year."?  However, I keep eating out all the time, using credit cards, and driving vehicles with payments.  Nothing is going to change.  

Don't get me wrong; making decisions is important.  They are just the first step.  If you want things to change in your life you have to make different decisions than you have been making.  However, if you stop at the decisions you are not going to make progress.  If I decide I want to lose weight I need to make choices that support that decision.  I need to choose not to eat the cookies or go back for seconds.  I need to choose a to-go box so I don't eat all the food on my plate at the restaurant.  I need to choose to move my body more.  

We watch people, every January, make decisions without choices.  We call them resolutions.  We call them goals.  We call them dreams and wishes.  When I create my goals, I also write down what choices I need to make to accomplish those goals.  If I decide to set a goal to take two getaways this year with my wife that is great.  Nothing is going to happen unless I make the choices to put the getaways on the calendar, make the travel arrangements, and budget for them.  

So why do we not make the choices that support the decisions we make?  I believe one of the main reasons is when we choose to say yes to something we are also choosing to say no to something else at the same time.  If I say yes to losing weight I am saying no to the cake.  When I say yes to getting out of debt I am saying no to other things I want to buy.  If I say yes to getaways with my wife I am saying no to working on those dates, hanging out with my friends on those dates, and I am saying no to spending that money on other things.  

Make decisions that move you in the direction you want to go then make choices to support those decisions.  

Here is one decision we can all benefit from: Be Present To Win  Read about it HERE

Thanks for reading and thanks for sharing.  

Movement Towards Momentum

For those who don't know, I am really into goal setting.  I love January.  There is nothing magical about January, but it serves as a good time to focus in on which direction I am moving and what adjustments I want to make.  I don't pressure myself to have all my goals figured out on January 1st.  I am adding and subtracting goals throughout the entire year.  

One thing January tends to give us is a boost of momentum.  We all love momentum.  It reduces the amount of work needed to get something done.  We are halfway through January and my question for you is, how are your goals doing?  Are you still moving forward?  Are you losing steam?  Have you quit?

We throw the word momentum around, but have you ever thought about what it means?  What is momentum.  Maybe you took a science class and learned that Momentum=Mass*Velocity (p=mv).  When talking about life I feel this definition makes things a little clearer.  Momentum is "strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events" (merriam-webster.com).  

The way we get momentum is by motion over time mixed with the right opportunities.  The thing I am learning about momentum is you can't control momentum.   The only part of that equation that we can control is the motion; the movement.  We can not control the amount of time.  We do not know when movement will turn into mementum.  We really do not control the opportunities that come our way.  We never know when that work, that movement, will cause the flywheel to start picking up speed.  We do not know what opportunities are around the corner.  The last book I read in 2022 was I Can't Make This Stuff Up by Kevin Hart.  Kevin Hart talks, in this book, about how we worked very hard for ten to twelve years to be an overnight succuess.  Over and over again he thought this is my opportunity.  Here it is.  My time has finally come only to have the door, figurtively and sometimes literally, slammed in his face.  Things outside of his control.  He could not control the time it took and he could not control the opportunities that came and went.  All he could do was work has hard as he could for as long as he could with no guarantee of success.  With no promise that he would eventually experience momentum in his career.  

Momentum is nice.  We all love it.  We just don'tcontrol it.  We do control our movement, and movement takes work.  So keep working.  Keep making the decisions that will move you towards your goals.  Regardless if you experience momentum or not along the journey, one thing you can be sure of, if you keep working and moving in the right direction you are making progress.  Keep going!

Note:  Happy New Year and thnaks for reading.  While you are hear, check out some updates to the website including a new page that includes some speaking Videos and Pictures.  If you are interested in having me speak at your church, retreat, camp, or other event clikc HERE and fill out the request form.

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30 Days Left

I know it has been a long time since I posted anything.  I had to take some time away and focus my time and attention on some other areas of my life; mainly my work and health.  However, writing really is my happy place.  It is my creative outlet and it is an important part of my overall health. I have been doing some other types of writing and maybe some of that will show up on here at some point.  

I wanted to point out that it is December 1st.  That means there are 30 more days left in 2021.  I have been working on my 2022 goals and I am excited about what the next year will bring.  I have revamped some of my goal tracking tools and added one or two new ones.  We will see how it goes. 

 It is not too late to accomplish some of your goals for this year.  I just hit my 2021 weight loss goal today.  That means I get a 30-day headstart on my 2022 weight goal.  

So what are your goals for 2022?  Have you even thought about it? One thing I always try to do is point people toward great resources.  One of the best people I have found when it comes to goal setting is Jon Acuff.  His book, Soundtracks, rocked my world this year.  He launched a podcast called All It Takes Is A Goal.  I would encourage you to take a look at both of these resources.  

One thing I know is if you want to enjoy life you have to do it on purpose.

I will be doing posts more regularly (Like Tomorrow).  Make sure you subscribe so you can catch each one.  Help get the word out by sharing this on your social feeds.  

Why Floss Matters

Happy New Year!  Don't worry, this has nothing to do with dental hygiene.  I flossed every day in 2017 and it matters.  That is 365 times.  Let me clarify a couple of things.  I did not grow up flossing.  I have tried flossing before.  It never became a habit.  I would guess that this year was at least 300 days better than any previous year.

The reason it matters is that it places me in the top percentage of people.  Only 8 percent of resolutions make it past February.  I made it all the way to the finish line.  I am not sure how many make it all year but I would say it is safe to say that it is less than 8 percent.  So I am in an elite group of resolutionists.  That is not why it matters.  It matters because I will do it again in 2018.  I do not know what it is yet, but it will be more significant than flossing my teeth.  Finishing produces more finishes.

I want you to enjoy the same success in whatever it is you set out to do.  That is why I have a Favorite Links page.  It does not matter if it is a physical goal, financial goal, or any other goal there is a resource here to help you.  Maybe you already know the steps to your goal and you need help sticking with it. Check out Jon Acuff.  With the exception of Advocare, I do not get any kind of kick back for this.  I only put the information out there because I am passionate about helping you reach your goals.

I hope you have a successful and happy new year.  Share your goal in the comments.  Share this information with others.  Let's finish what we start together.

Are you interested in having me come speak at your next event?  Click Here and let's start the conversation.

My Purpose

This statement has driven my decisions for the year.  The goals I have set I have been centered around making myself fit in all areas of my life.  I have worked on being fit in my spiritual, emotional and financial life.  I have lined up my goals, to-do list, calendar, and bank account with his purpose.  So far it has been an incredible year.  

All of the areas of your life are connected like tires on a car.  If one of your tires is flat you can get somewhere in the other areas of your life.  However, it is going to be a bumpy ride and it will definitely take longer to get there.  For me, the toughest area, my flat tire, has been my physical life.  I have been focusing a large portion of my effort on this tire.  I have lost almost 20 lbs.  My blood pressure is back in a healthy range.  I am able to enjoy activities that I had not been able to do for a long time.  Excercise has taken on fun forms like mountain biking, hiking, and evening walks with my wife.  I have started enjoying the quality of food instead of quantity of food.  I have found supplements that work for me.  

All of these changes are great. They all contributed to the success I have had.  However, the foundation that they are built on is the key to the success.  I have tried all these things before and gave up.  The missing ingredient was a purpose.  It was not until I had a purpose to be fit did the change come.  The purpose had to be big enough and important enough to motivate me through the sacrifice.  I am not motivated to do things because I should do them.  In fact, that usually has the opposite effect on me.  I am motivated by relationships.  I know this about myself.  So I tied my purpose to the relationships that matter most to me.  

What is your purpose?  What motivates you to make real change?  Are you lining up your goals, calendar, bank account, and to do list with your purpose?

If you are looking for ways to improve different areas of your life check out my Favorite Links page. The first one is a link to the Advocare page.  This is the supplements that my wife and I have been using.  I am constantly looking for organizations that I can add to the list.  Some of them are organizations that can help you and others need your help to help others.  Please know that I have had personal experiences with each one.  

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