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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Bucket Lists, Goals, Resolutions, Oh My!

Tis the season for holiday parties, shopping, celebrations and so much more.  It is also the season when a lot of people evaluate life.  Are you a New Year's Resolution person?  Are you a One Word person?  Side note, my word for this coming year is action.  Maybe you are a goal setter.  

I have been pondering the question lately, "What is the difference between a goal, a resolution, and a 'bucket list' item?"  Here is what I came up with.  A goal is something that takes work, focus, and time to complete.  It is measurable so you know when you have completed the goal.  For example, one of my goals this year was to lose 20 lbs.  It was measurable so I knew when I was finished.  It took time, work, and focus.  I had to go out and learn new things, practice the new things, and wait for the results.  

Resolutions, on the other hand, are messy goals.  Resolutions are like those friends who say "Let's do lunch sometime." and then never call you to set something up.  They usually mean well and do not set out to let you down, but just don't seem to follow through.  Going off of my previous example, a resolution would be, "I am going to lose weight this year." or "I am going to eat healthier this year."  Healthier than what?  How much weight?  If I lose the same five pounds twice does that count?  They mean well, but they are just a mess.  Just like that lunch is probably not going to happen, neither is that resolution.  

I love "The Bucket List".  It is a great movie.  I really like the movie and I really like the concept of a bucket list.   Let me explain what a bucket list is before I go into how it compares to the other two.  A bucket list is simply a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket.  The whole idea of a bucket list, and the theme of the movie, is to live your life on purpose.  Don't get stuck in the ruts of life and look up 80 years later and realize you did not do anything you wanted to do.  

How does that compare to things on your goal list?  Some would argue that they are one and the same.  I don't hate you if you fall into the camp. I was there for a long time.  I have found a slight difference that I think warrants separating them out.   A bucket list item is usually something you can go do if you just have the resources.  Items that are common on bucket lists are; jump out of a plane, traveling to certain destinations, try a certain type of food, or trying some new activity.  A goal, as we said earlier takes work, focus, and time to accomplish.  A goal often requires something of you.  A bucket list item can often be purchased.  

I think, because of that difference, it is worth separating them out.  It keeps the goal list cleaner, and that allows you to narrow your focus and get better results.  I have never been one to have a full-on bucket list.  However, I do identify fun things I want to do and write them down.  Moving them to post-it notes to my office window and out of my goals has allowed me to zero in more on my goals.  They are still in front of me and often serve as motivation to accomplish my goals.  

What has worked for you?  Do you agree with my descriptions of the three different categories?  Let me know in the comments and don't forget to share this with others.  

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.