The decisions you make are shaping the quality of your life
We make 35,000 decisions every day. We make more decisions than we take breaths in a 24-hour period.
Read that again. If breathing powers our body 22,000 times, how do you think our 35,000 decisions power the direction and quality of our lives? The decisions we make give our breath purpose. We move from a life of merely existing to a life of intentionality; a life that serves us. Each decision is a step one closer. We can either make choices that propel us into the life we want, or ones that keep us complacent, unhappy, or the dreaded “fine.”
About 15 years ago, when I first started getting serious with my fit lifestyle – long before Burn Boot Camp, I turned to running. I had the desire to change but lacked the motivation and knowledge to sustain any real habits. I needed external motivation – an accountability partner. Elizabeth and I would meet a few times each week before work and run a few miles – at best. Early on, we would wake up at 5 AM, drive to a neighborhood that broke the 15-minute distance between us, and run .5 miles. We would high-five every time we got to the STOP sign on East Blvd.
Everything about these early morning runs felt unnatural in the beginning. Miserable, actually. The weather felt consistently cold and my body was heavy. I hated how groggy I felt leaving my bed – all to RUN. The distance I was putting in didn’t provide any immediate reward and so finding joy in the journey initially was a chore. Having an accountability partner made this possible. I didn’t want to let Elizabeth down (and vice versa) and so we kept each other moving with conversation carrots dangling in front of us. We talked about relationships, self-tanner, and her two cats, Jack and George. This part was easy, and I looked forward to the social interaction.
Every time I showed up, I made the decision to live a fit lifestyle. This was the part that was important to me – the lifestyle I wanted to live. I kept my mind and actions focused on the long-term vision and chalked up these early morning runs as a small piece of the process. I didn’t need to LOVE running at 5 AM. I needed to be committed to the life I was trying to create.
This goes for you, too. Your decisions are shaping your life and the person you are becoming.
Do I put down my phone?
Do I say no?
Do I say yes?
Do I spend this money?
Do I multi-task right now?
Do I take this shortcut?
Do I believe this excuse?
Do I listen to my body?
Do I push my body?
Do I compare myself?
Do I save this money?
Do I take this time?
Do I show up?
Do I drink this water?
Do I take deep breaths?
Do I put myself first?
Do I eat that?
Do I go to bed earlier?
Do I accept this meeting invite?
Do I have this conversation?
Do I call my best friend?
Do I believe this?
Do I go to Burn Boot Camp? (YES!)
You’re in control. 35,000 times.
But don’t let that overwhelm you. You can’t change it all overnight. This is where goals and resolutions often fail. To make consistent, REAL change…you have to take the real, long route.
Years later, Elizabeth and I ran our first half marathon together. Consistently deciding to show up got me better, faster, and stronger.
There is no Amazon Prime delivery of your best life.
One discussion I have the most with members at Burn Boot Camp is patience. So often, we throw in the towel on our healthy habits and dreams because we’re not willing to trust the process. We interpret slow progress as no progress. Brilliant marketing and shitty intentions have convinced us that shortcuts are the best-kept secret. Shortcuts don’t care about your long-term success. We give up too easily. We’re not willing to do HARD WORK that’s proportionate to the expected result.
But, you can be different. You have the opportunity every day to channel your energy through the decisions you make in all facets of your life.
In 2021, my focus was my marriage. We had been beaten by a thousand bamboo sticks over the years and the scars were beginning to show. We were tired of being “fine” and craved what we once knew – EXCELLENCE. We’ve intentionally made decisions in our favor. We’re still on this journey but we’re closer. We smile toward one another. I go in for hugs more often. We communicate better. We share hobbies again. Heck, we even like each other now. Ironically, focusing here gave me stronger connections with my children. I spend more quality time with my extended family. My “center” became deeper. My businesses excelled. I gained more clarity. I felt even more JOY.
Focus on one area, and one area well. Be patient. Expect to struggle. Your entire life will open as your mental, emotional, and physical beings are all connected.
