MOVE: January 16, 2015

It's Always Best to Start at the Beginning

Spoiler Summary: Carve out 3 minutes and find a quiet place where you can think.  Answer 2 simple questions and set yourself up for what's possible.

When I was in fifth grade I made my theatrical debut.  It's true; somehow, my mom convinced me to tryout for the fifth grade's rendition of The Wizard of Oz.....and complete with flannel shirt stuffed with straw - I transformed myself into the slightly wobbly scarecrow, the character who was ready to search far and wide for "knowledge" while battling back evil magic (and the occasional flying monkey) along the way. Can you picture it?  Ok, now delete that image and let's never discuss it again. :)

Although I can't say it was a riveting performance, I tried to do the role justice.....and having watched the movie MANY MANY times in preparation for my VERY VERY short acting career, there was one line that still sticks with me today:  Glinda the good-witch, just before sending Dorothy on her way toward Oz, giving simple.....and yet spot on advice:

"It's always best to start at the beginning"

We don't use these exact words - but the truth is, we are often giving this exact advice, perhaps never more often than at the beginning of the new year when people are trying to put their best foot forward toward the best version of themselves.

Of course, there are times when it takes effort just to know when you're at the actual beginning and not just caught up listening to a loud voice urging you to "pay no attention to what's behind the curtain".....but there's an easy way to know the difference.....and it starts with a very simple process of questions - that only you can answer:

1. Does my personal health CURRENTLY allow me to enjoy the highest-possible quality of life?

2. If #1 = yes: Will it stay that way even if I do nothing? If #1 = No, what's missing and when does it need to be ready by to enjoy the quality of life I desire?

Now there are many different versions of these questions that can be found. But at their root, these questions are the foundation of "looking inward", which is required to arrive at the best answer to the last and most important question for any health-change effort.....and one that my team asks almost every day, to almost every client or group we serve:

"What's YOUR goal?"

If you know YOUR goal - the one YOU care about most - you can systematically and deliberately decide how to go about achieving it and whether it's worth the effort and sacrifice required.

Health achievements are not easy - like any worthy achievement, they take consistency and focus over time.....in this case, a commitment to yourself even when it's easier not-to and even when it takes picking yourself back up after a setback......but they don't have to be complicated.

No matter how high the hurdles look....and no matter how long the road in front of us seems.....let us NEVER confuse what is likely with what is possible.....

It's a great time of year to take a look inward and realize how important health and safety really are.  It's a great time of year to commit to the work required.....and it's a great time of year to start at the beginning....no singing monologues required.

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.