Frogs, Superheroes and Magic Bullets
In thinking about beginning a brand new year and all the opportunities that will present themselves to me, I’m reminded once again that January tends to bring out the hopefulness in people. Hopefulness that maybe this year will be better than last year; hopefulness that their life will be more fulfilling, happier and peaceful.
There are hopes that a new year will bring more financial success and even more productive relationships. It seems that January has the magical superpowers to transform mere mortals into superheroes capable of achieving lofty goals, making resolutions to start this or stop that or even finally cleaning out the garage. January brings out the motivation in most people to get healthier, eat more nutritiously, exercise more, or perhaps stop an unhealthy habit.
And then it happens…that wall of despair rises up to taunt us when we realize that we have to actually “do” something different if we are actually going to make any changes. Consider this… There were five frogs sitting on a rock. Four of them decided to jump off. How many were left? The Answer: Five. Deciding is not the same as DOING!!! You have to DO something different if you want a different result!
In John Maxwell’s book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, John says that the secret to his success is not what you might think. He reveals that the secret is consistency. That means day after day, week after week, year after year consistently going about doing what you’ve committed to do or not do. Therein lies the secret to success.
I recently joined a fitness group that includes a challenge and accountability component. The purpose of the challenge group component is to hold you accountable to your health and fitness goals, your daily workout times and to also encourage you to be consistent in working on the commitments you have made. I started with the challenge group two weeks ago and I can tell you that accountability has a direct correlation to consistency! I’ve been much more faithful in my workouts, healthy eating habits and even sharing my progress on a closed social media page than I have been in the past when I had no external accountability.
I now believe that the fitness goals that I have set are really within my reach. And it all depends on consistency. No magic bullet, no secret sauce, just one day at a time, every day, being consistent in what I do.
When I talk with friends, relatives and colleagues about their fitness and health goals, I usually either get major groans or “I’ve been meaning to start exercising” or even “I just don’t have time!” When I hear those responses, I’m reminded of a James Allen quote, “People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves. They therefore remain bound.”
Isn’t that true? We all want better health, fitter bodies and even the longevity of life that a healthy lifestyle brings, but we many times aren’t willing to improve ourselves and commit to actually consistently “doing” the things that are going to make a difference. We aren’t willing to change our circumstances and therefore we remain bound. The fact is we are all consistent at doing many things. The real question is are the things that we do consistently growing us or slowing us?
I want to challenge you to think differently at the beginning of this New Year. Be encouraged from John’s 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth and realize that it’s only what we do consistently that is going to bring us the success that we so greatly seek.
Here’s to a better YOU!
About the Author
Lynn is a speaker, trainer and coach who has been a public school educator and administrator for almost 30 years.
Her focus and “why” in life is adding value to people thorough writing and teaching. Her passion is inspiring others to overcome life’s obstacles and find their own “why”.
She has overcome many major obstacles in life herself and uses her own personal story to motivate and inspire others.
Contact Lynn at : http://johncmaxwellgroup.com/lynnwicker