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| "She's running low Skipper!" |
Owning it
When is it ever enough to simply recognize a problem? I'm talking about inner reflection and examination. I've become pretty good at identifying problems, particularly those of my own making. I can even go as far as prescribing a remedy. That is the easy part - call it "arm-chair quarterbacking" at it's core. Implementing the remedy is the hard part, but not yet the most difficult. Many a diet or exercise program has been started with only the best of intentions. But it is the follow through that matters the most. Sure starting is a milestone and even making it through the first milestone period, but what about the assessment and follow up? Lets face it, we've mastered the first few steps toward success; 1) Identify the problem, 2) Develop a solution (plan), 3) Execute said solution..... but we often end there. After implementation of the plan, it is necessary to reassess and evaluate - then repeat the cycle with modifications as needed. When not completing this cycle (honestly), it is only a cruel joke of self gratification - LYING to myself! Lying to ones self if not a healthy habit.
Success: Knowing it when you see it
It would seem we recognize what is perceived as "success" by simple observation. I suggest this is merely a perceived result of what we may believe to be success. True success in its absolute form is what cannot be readily seen. To succeed requires more than what can be observed in passing. People who succeed do more than persevere, they live IT non-stop. So....what is IT? Let's narrow this down to two fundamental things; What you do in your "down time" and how you control appetites and passions. What you see when observing a perceived successful person, is merely the result of these two things. What is it they do on their "day off", or when they get a break? How do they manage their personal passions and appetites? Do they get caught up is endless "doom scrolling", binge eat potato chips, take extended afternoon naps (because they can)? You get the picture. What we don't see is the real success - the things that really matter.
Maximizing your gift of time
Time is a funny thing. Kind of a commodity, but everyone has the same allotment every day - 24-hours to be exact. It is irrevocable and non-refundable at the same time - until it ends. And then it doesn't matter anymore. Until that point, success is determined by what is done with that allotted time. It's not luck. If you want to be lucky, set yourself up to be lucky - and no, buying a a lottery ticket doesn't count. Ask yourself at any given moment; how will this particular thing that I'm doing at this particular moment appear as my outward appearance. Does it truly represent me and what I want to be, or will it keep me from exhibiting my success. And by exhibiting, I do me achieving that level of success that is yours to be had. Time is a gift. Make the most of it and yourself together.
Overcoming
Our bodies are pretty amazing machines. Again, another gift in itself. But man, talk about a wild mustang. We are wired with some pretty intense motivations - lacking a better description. We have these appetites and our own passions. We become conditioned to want things we really don't otherwise need. Left unchecked, this conditioning leads us into a deficit with our own regard. We focus on the wrongs things - and by wrong I mean those things we had once set out as desires and goals. Weight gain is brought about one potato chip at a time (what's with the potato chips). It is the same for everything. Staying focused is key. Watch a video of a carrier aircraft pilot landing on the "boat". They quite often won't even so much as blink while trying to "stick it". Yet, we too often take our eye off "the prize", if even for just a few seconds. Back to that body thing again, it tends to go where we are looking. Sure, enjoy life and the beauty of our surroundings, but keep your eyes forward while in motion. And motion....well that is another matter. Keep moving forward toward the objective. Moments of distraction and weakness slowly add up to a variation in course. The key is to master that wild mustang. Learning to control your machine is the second key component to individual triumph.
Assessment
Assess, plan, execute, reassess - the loop of virtually any progress. It seems we are generally pretty good with an initial assessment and even a plan. Execution sometimes becomes a struggle as we tend to be overly ambitious toward our end result. Breaking down a task into smaller individual components. keeps things real. The 1% rule speaks directly to this (improving by only 1% each day). However, the ongoing assessment is too often omitted from the day to day operation. You will have victories as well as setbacks. In both cases a reassess, own it - all of it. There may be times when the setbacks simply stack up and the victories seem a distant mirage. We also can't control everything in our sphere, but we can control how we react. When execution doesn't yield the desired results, assess and replan. Doing it the same way over and over, expecting a different result is literally stupid. Learn from your mistakes and be better for them. The darn things certainly have cost you a lot in this process - learn from them and maximize the sunk cost. It ain't coming back. Close that loop but don't throw away the investment. Study your failure - the enemy. Return for the next battle with a sharper edge. Providing there is still time on the game clock, reassess and return for another victory.
To whom.....
So this really is for nobody but me. Writing things down is an absolute way to internalize almost anything. My problems aren't necessarily the same as anyone else's. However, we all struggle and can learn from other peoples success and mistakes. We make our own way eventually - like it or not. But here's the thing, as some point we all have to own up to our life's decisions. The choice to to deflect and deny, wear it like a gravy stain, or simply make the most of it toward being the bet version of ourselves. Everything has a price. You pay for your mistakes as well as success. Cash in every once in a while...
Ride HARD!
