I have a confession to make. There are days I want to quit. There are days I want to eat everything in sight because I can. There are days I want it to be easy. But…

I have to keep going. When I made the changes late last year, I didn’t make them to be temporary. I knew that I was changing my outlook on how I live going forward. This is not temporary.

I have to remind myself of this. This new path is one step at a time. Am I going to mess it up ever so often? Yep. Does that cancel the overall goal? No.

Perfection is not attainable. Consistency is. Keep going. One step, one day at a time.

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. – Jim George

The first two months of 2023 have not gone as I expected. Can I admit that? Is it ok? Good. It has been a whirlwind and I am just now finding my rhythm.

I was excited for the start of the year. I have goals that I want to crush this year. Have I started any of them? No, not really. Am I going to? Yes.

I have been thinking through how to plan for a couple of the goals I have. What do I need to do first? What steps do I need to take along the way? How do I know that I have achieved the goal?

For the ones I have in mind I have to start with the end result and back my way into them. Let me give you an example:

I have set the goal to podcast this year. Here are the questions I have to answer:

1. What is the topic?
2. How often will I post?
3. Who is the target audience?
4. What style podcast do I envision?
5. How much content will the chosen topic provide?

I could go on for a bit with questions. My point is this: if I have a goal, I have to break it down into achievable portions. I have to know what the steps are. If I can’t name the steps, how will I k ow when I have achieved them?

I look forward to achieving this year. More to come on goals. For now, #keepmoving #onward #finishstrong

The world is loud. It is so much louder than it used to be. Well, at least it feels that way when you watch the news or spend too much time on social media.

It is so easy to get caught up in all of the madness that is around. From unrest across the world to political tensions to (insert chaotic item here), it is hard to find focus and remain calm.

I would like to share  two thoughts in regards to this:

1. I can’t control the world, but I can make the next right decision in front of me. Having this sense of agency keeps me focused and reminds me to keep moving forward.
2. God loves us. There will be bad in the world, but I choose to partner with God and share his love with people. That changes my outlook and keeps my eyes pointed toward him.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. – Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I need this reminder often. I choose to do what needs to be done and show God’s love along the way. This helps me find focus through the noise.

Success or failure in business is caused more by mental attitude even than by mental capacity.” Banish the fear-attitude; acquire the confident attitude. And remember that the only way to acquire it is—to acquire it . — The Art Of Public Speaking: By Dale Carnegie

I love public speaking. Yes, I know I am weird, but I love it. I love the process of breaking a topic down in front of a room. I love telling stories. I just find it enjoyable.  

Was I always this way? Sort of. I can’t remember a time when I was afraid to stand up in front of a room. I do remember a time when I was not very good at it. Stage fright was not the problem…saying stupid things was.

How did I get better? I joined a Toastmasters club and spoke every time the opportunity presented itself. I have been in Toastmasters for over 10 years now. I have given hundreds of presentations during that time span. Some were still not great, but they got me to the next presentation. And then the next one.

I identify with the quote above when it comes to public speaking. With other things though? I have only lately become as determined. Yes, I am now going to talk about fitness for a few. How did you guess?

I have spent a lot of years wanting to be in better shape. It wasn’t until I got off my duff and got after it that things started to change. Like the quote above says, I got rid of the wrong attitude and acquired the right attitude. But, it came about through a lot of doing, not because I naturally felt that way.

From a fitness perspective I have a long way to go, but I have come a long way too. From a public speaking perspective I have a long way to go, but have come even further than I have with fitness. Every bit of it is a journey. The things I choose to tackle next will be as well.

If you remember one thing from this post, remember this: we get better by doing. So…do what needs to be done.

Do you ever look in the mirror and see a younger version of yourself?

From time to time I look in the mirror and I still see the me from 1990. A 12 year old kid with a lot of hope for the future, but also a lot of hangups.

Or I see the me from 1999. A 21 year old newlywed with the love of his life by his side and a ton of big dreams…broke, but extremely happy.

Or I see the me from 2002. A 24 year old standing in front of a church performing the ceremony and singing at the wedding of 2 wonderful friends who has since become closer than family (and have since been marrieed over 20 years and have had a beautiful family of their own).

Or I see the me from 2004. A 26 year old who has just been diagnosed with cancer and doesn’t know what the future will hold.

Or I see the me from 2008. A 30 year old holding a baby boy, so mesmerized by life and the love of family.

Or I see the me from 2016. A 38 year old who is burned out and praying for a change only to be let go from one job to move to another state to take a better one.

Or I see the me from 2018. A 40 year old who has been diagnosed with recurrent cancer and who is praying for healing and restoration.

Or I see the me from today. A 44 year old who loves his life, messy though it may be…the love of my life still by my side along with a son who is my pride and joy.

Life has not been easy. Parts have been very messy. Through it all it has been beautiful. I have made good decisions. I have made horrible decisions. I am still here. I get to try again.

I have to remember when I look in the mirror that I can not be a prisoner of the past. Each day brings an opportunity to cherish the ones I love. Each day brings an opportunity to do better and exert the agency I have been given. Each day is another day God has given me to do good.