Today, Shiloh got me thinking about this question and the fact that most of the time we know what to do, so why don’t we do it. In the park we have this one little tree that offers shade and she always runs to it when she needs a break from the sun. Shiloh knows what to do to take care of herself.
So I wanted to ask you…
What do you know you should be doing, but you’re just not doing it?
Most of the time we know the answer. Often, we make it seem so big and so hard. Thinking we need the perfect program, the perfect plan, the perfect alignment, when basically we just need to start and trust that we know enough.
We know what we should be eating for example. I don’t need tell you to eat more broccoli! You’ve heard that message enough. I love what Michael Pollan, says in his books, “if it’s a plant, eat it, if it was made in a plant, don’t.” Simple, right? Common sense, yes?
You know you probably shouldn’t be staying up until one or two in the morning, and that more quality sleep is needed. You know that having every family member in a different room, watching a different TV, over time, isn’t going to cultivate a strong communication and a strong bond. You know that if you are frequently in a state of negative reaction, one that breeds anger, frustration and frazzle, over time, that isn’t going to bode well for your stress levels and overall health, and for the relationships in your life.
We know this, but why is it hard to make the shifts necessary. It starts with awareness, what do you really want and getting a clear picture of what that looks like, then deciding to make the commitment to do it.
The first step is to get some support and some help. Get a coach and I’m not just saying that because I am a coach J. I have hired different coaches in my life to help me with business and getting more clarity. When I was competing in bodybuilding and fitness shows, I hired a coach to train me. People would say, “You are a coach, why do you need a coach?” I would respond with, “Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Michael Phelps are the best at what they do and they have a coach, multiple coaches.”
I love the expression, we can’t see our own eyebrows. Often we can’t see where our weak points are, where we let distractions deter us and where we are not showing up fully present. We need that push and that support, even if, on an intellectual level, we know what to do.
Whether it’s a coach, a mentor or an accountability partner, having someone to help you stay grounded in what you want, what you are committed to and what it will take to get there is huge in achieving the life you deserve.
This isn’t about perfection, this isn’t about never having a donut or never being distracted or always being some enlightened soul, it’s about the progress towards being more full connected and recognizing what may be pulling you away from that.
“I know what I should be doing, and why aren’t I doing it?” Ask yourself that and it’s ok if you don’t know the answer!!
A better question to ask yourself everyday is…“What’s the one thing I can shift TODAY?”
For example, if you haven’t been exercising, get out and take a walk. It doesn’t have to be some big hardcore Crossfit program. That’s great, if it’s your gig, but it can be something simple to get started so you can build momentum and confidence. Then it gets easier to recognize when you are falling off track and get the support you need.
Shiloh, in her infinite wisdom, knows what to do and what she needs and does it. As she was sitting under that shaded tree, I thought, “What is my shaded tree today?” and I want to ask you…”What is yours?”
I’m on it! Great message!!