I’ve been thinking about the importance of sweating physically, mentally and philosophically.
One of the most popular goals people have is choosing a healthier lifestyle through exercise and diet. But very few will stay committed to this goal.
What sets apart the committed from the uncommitted? Sweat.
1. Choose Sweat: “Sweat equity is the most valuable equity there is.” – Mark Cubin
How will you live starting today? Will you ‘up’ your commitment and let yourself be a little more uncomfortable than you were these last few months? What kind of attitude will you have with regards to your aspirations? Will you be tenacious, determined, focused? Or will you just keep talking about what you wish for and hope for and want? Dreaming without doing is useless. Only you can defer or determine your hope. Are you willing to wipe the sweat off your brow a little more than you did last year?
2. Be Determined: “The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking.” -Mia Hamm
When no one else is looking, are you doing what you said you would do? What are you like in secret, when no one is there? The more you pursue determination in private, the greater the opportunity to reach your goal. Carve out a portion of your day where no words are spoken because you are focused and busy doing what you know in your heart you are supposed to do. In quietness, boldness is strengthened.
3. Inspire Yourself: “You can throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat off your face and keep going.” – Gatorade
Don’t give up! Do… Not… Give…Up! It is when you are weary, uncertain and discouraged that you must stand up and be tall. The hard hits may knock you down, but only you can choose to stay down. Yes, cry, get angry, get frustrated – that’s ok. But when you’re done, find the energy within you to stand back up and keep going. No one can hold your hand. Only you can make this choice. And the really cool part is how good it feels to know you fell down, but you never, ever quit.
4. Reality Check: “Don’t feel entitled to anything you didn’t sweat and struggle for.” – Marian Wright Edelman
Once in awhile, someone wins the big lottery. Millions of dollars. This is a rarity, a unique moment, and not the norm. Stop looking to the heavens for something to fall from the sky. Of course we all would love a miracle, for a surprise encounter, for an unannounced gift. In the meantime, what are you going to do about your life? What steps are you willing to take? What efforts are you willing to act out? Stimulate your mind with vibrant, pro-active, forward-motion thinking. When I coach people, 99% of the time they already know what to do. My job is to help them come to that realization. They don’t need me. I personally can’t help them. But what I can offer is a space for their thoughts and heart and emotions to be provoked and empowered. When a human has an “Aha! I know what to do!” moment, it is absolutely life-giving!! Honour your mind by being a doer not just a talker.
5. No Excuses: “The sweat. The time. The devotion. It pays off.” – Simeon Panda
Saying you don’t have time is an excuse. If you are able to run errands, to surf the internet, to spend time on social media, to watch Netflix, to make dinner, to read an article, to chat on the phone, to sleep in – then you have time to invest in yourself and do what you know you must do.
Karen Thrall
Business Coach-Consultant | Human Catalyst