FITNESS: MY COMMITMENT FOR THE YEAR
FITNESS: MY COMMITMENT FOR THE YEAR
Let's be honest, losing your focus is common when the hard times hit; but keeping that focus despite the mess is uncommon. Success requires that we transform the uncommon into common.
Have you ever selected a "word for the year"? The intent behind that one word is simplicity and focus - it’s easier to remember than a long list of goals, helps you focus on priorities each day, and (in theory) will be more readily attainable. Many people pick those words out of routine but fail in keeping them (just like New Year's Resolutions). In this blog, we'll tackle some thoughts on your one-word while I share what mine will be for 2021.
If picking that one word is simple and helps you focus, then why do so many people fail in truly sticking to it throughout a full, calendar year? Look at the title of this entry -- "my commitment for the year." The failure starts by drifting from your purpose as your commitment fades. It's so easy to select a word but it's so hard to commit to what it takes to keep that word. Take a quick look at this quote from the book Defined by Moments and pause to reflect upon what it says to you.
That statement hits me hard because it is easy to say but hard to do. Let's be honest, losing your focus is common when the hard times hit; but keeping that focus despite the mess is uncommon. Success requires that we transform the uncommon into common. As the definition above says, we must be patient under stress in order to purposefully move towards success. If you have selected a word, stop right now and look at the plan that you have written for that word. Let's turn to my personal example...
"Fitness" is the word that I have chosen for 2021. When you hear that term, the mind immediately goes to losing weight or getting in shape; however, my intent is much deeper. Before digging into what I really mean, I had to embrace the effort that will require. For instance, to gain physical fitness, I have to willingly choose to push myself and endure pain. The soreness from lifting weights is a breakdown in the muscle so that they can repair themselves in a stronger fashion. By saying "fitness," I am intentionally choosing pain and soreness - not the glamorous things we often envision by flippantly choosing a word for the year.
Specifically for me, here is my breakdown of the term "fitness" for the year 2021:
Physical - as I hit my mid-40s and work from home, my metabolism is not what it used to be. I have to intentionally build time to exercise while also forcing myself to get out of that chair during the day to move. My Total Gym is right beside my desk to help facilitate that aspect. Every 2 hours, I have an alarm that goes off where I need to get out of this chair and I'll do one exercise till muscle failure. It gets me out of the chair during the day but does not replace my daily workout.
Spiritual - my faith is important to me, so I have a daily reading plan for both morning and evening. I am also working with accountability partners to ensure that my reading and reflecting on those passages actually happen. I know they will call me out if I fail in that regard.
Mental - better thinking leads to better believing and, together, they create better doing. If I am taking care of my physical and spiritual self, then my thoughts will be better. Changing my daily reflection time in the evening to focus on clarity of thought is the end result. I have selected actions that I will do EVERY DAY and they become my journaling time. I want to be a "mover" during 2021 and have chosen them for John Maxwell's "Rule of Five"
M - meditate (I will read my Bible and pray every day)
O - original (I will produce one item of material so I can share my learning with others)
V - value (I will honor others by encouraging at least one person each day)
E - estate (I will interact with my family in a way to build the right legacy for them)
R - reflect (I will look back on the day and identify one lesson that I was to learn from everything that happened)
Financial - I love impulse buys and this needs to stop as they add up over time. My plan is to sit down with my wife at the end of each month and go through the credit card purchases I made. In the past, I've just shared the totals but we need a deeper dive to ensure I only look at needs instead of lots of wants.
Familial - if I succeed at work but do not invest in my family, then I have lost what is most important. After supper, my phone will be put away to ensure that my distractions are removed. Technology is a great thing but also a convenient time-waster. Why should I interact with people on social media across the country and ignore the folks under my own roof? This area is one that I know I must improve.
Social/Emotional - 2020 has been hard with all the isolation, even for an avowed introvert. I need to intentionally connect with others because those times shape both of us. Being together is a great way to become better together.
See how that word is not just a simple word? Can you feel the commitment that comes along with this term? Now, evaluate whether or not you have built that much effort around it. If not, now is the time to stop everything and expend the effort to bolster your chances of success. Constructing the commitment and daily disciplines significantly increase your opportunities for success.
Have you chosen your word or focus? Do you have the commitment and discipline plan with it? Now is the time...