CONNECT: June 7, 2013

"Hey - Where are You At?"

"Where are you at?" "What's your location?"  Or, in some jobs, like law-enforcement: "What's your twenty?". 

Maybe you've asked this question to a co-worker who you were expecting to show up to your job site.  Maybe you've asked this question to your kids who you were expecting to be home at a certain time.....but when was the last time you asked yourself this question?    It's a question that can easily get lost in the shuffle of a busy day.  From a health and prevention perspective however, it's an absolutely critical question, because the answer tells us how far away we are from where we're hoping to get and if we're on track to get there in the expected time frame. 

If you've been involved in any of the prevention-related services that Pro-Activity offers this year, you've probably heard (in one way or another) us describe the various "stages" that people go through when they are changing.  Although it might seem like change starts with action, that's simply not the case.  Making a change starts as a decision to change - a person must first decide that a change is needed (goal) and then, they must go on to decide that making the change is worth the effort required. These are the early stages of change and are happening in the quiet of the person's mind.  Although we can't see it happening, it's there and it's accompanied by struggle and challenge and then (eventually) the will to act.  And whether a change for better health a new goal for achievement or whether a group prevention change - getting past this early stage is key. 

And then to action.... 

Even though you can always slide back a stage (or more), once the decision and "commitment" is made, the next step is to figure out the right formula to get to the goal.  Typically people then try something.....anything.  They experiment: They try new things, they measure where they are at, try something else and measure again.  It's becoming so common in fact that some technology companies are betting big dollars that more and more of us will get on board. Ever heard of "fitbit"?  How about the "UP" by Jawbone?  They both track health-related behaviors. Read any articles that speculate what the new "iWatch" will do?  Did you know that Microsoft has a "life-sciences" division?  It's a race to help each of us quickly and accurately answer "where we're at".......for somewhere between $50 and $200.  

But it can't stop there......knowing where we're at is a truly fantastic development.....a dose of reality......but experimentation can be slow and sticky.....people often find themselves running in circles;  Working hard, but never really getting anywhere.  And that's when it's all about having the right plan. 

So where are you at?  Are you ready for the right plan?  It's not everyone, but it is exciting to see more and more folks who are getting there step by step.  We're coming up on the 1/2 way point for 2013.....there's still plenty of time to make it the year of YOU......but only when you're ready. 

Have a great weekend, 

Mike E.