Life is hard sometimes.

You have so many responsibilities and so little time. Even when you stick to a schedule, circumstances can disrupt your plans and leave you scrambling. It’s enough to make you want to give up when everything seems to be working against you.

But don’t – please!

It happens to everyone. After all, there’s only so much we can control – and a whole universe of people, places and things that are simply beyond us. When you learn to EXPECT disruption, and to simply accept it as a fact of life, then you can begin to be free of it.

Here’s a super-basic example. My dad always told me to leave 20 minutes ahead of time for any appointment. That would allow for traffic or another unexpected delay. If I arrived on time, I’d have a few minutes to kill; if the journey took longer than I had expected, I’d still be on time.

It drove teen-age me crazy. But dad was right, and I think about this little lesson all the time. It’s even easy to apply it to healthy goals.

For example, if you want to lose weight, then it’s not enough to start eating right. You also have to anticipate days when you won’t be able to, for whatever reason. Maybe you’re stuck in a work conference, or traveling, or just can’t resist your neighbor’s fried chicken today.

If you want to train at the gym regularly, then you have to accept that you’ll need rest days. That the gym might be unexpectedly closed sometimes. That you might have a family emergency that keeps you away.

Here’s my wish for you. When these circumstances happen – and they will – don’t abandon your goals. Instead, remember that success takes consistent effort over time. And use each setback to strengthen the commitment you made to yourself.

It’s all in how you look at it!

it’s not just working out, it’s building a foundation for a better life.

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I want to share a powerful secret with you today, one that can help you reach your goals and create the life you want for yourself.

I used to wonder why some people seem to get what they want, while others – including myself – always seemed to run in place. Weren’t we just as deserving, creative, and hard-working? 

I finally spoke with a few friends who had done it to learn what I was missing. And here’s the secret they shared.

Getting what you want isn’t about just deserving it or working hard or having passion. 

It’s about knowing the right process. It’s about making the right choices and sticking with a plan.

Suddenly, it clicked for me. I hadn’t yet decided what I really wanted. I kinda knew, kinda hoped, kinda thought… but it wasn’t until I explored my values, desires and abilities enough to make a beacon-like choice that I could start on my way to building the life I wanted.

So, I want you to start at that same point. Take the time to decide what you really want. Is it to be healthy and active? Do you aim to be a loving partner? Do you yearn to build a business or nurture a talent?

Maybe you already know. Maybe it will take some thought and research to make your decision.

But once you do that, here’s the next step – according to the folks I consulted and the experts out there. You’ve got to develop the mindset that nothing will stop you – knowing that countless events and circumstances and even people will try to trip you up. Expect it! Plan for it! That’s how you beat it!

Now you have the goal and you have the determination. So, next, sketch out your path. What will you need on the way? How will you get it? Who can help?

Next comes The Big Step. You must TAKE ACTION. All the planning and reflecting in the world don’t amount to anything if you don’t do the work, one step at a time, day after day.

I understand how you might feel. It’s hard to build the life you want for yourself, to eat right, exercise, and pursue your other goals. It’s hard just deciding what you want and how to start.

But it’s NOT mysterious. Follow this process, do the work, and love yourself enough to stick with it over time.

I promise it works, and I can’t wait for it to blossom for you like it has for me and so many others.

it’s not just working out, it’s building a foundation for a better life.

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The skinny of bad habits

Building healthy new habits is so important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reaching your goals. But let’s talk today about the reverse: How to break a bad habit, whether it’s a mild annoyance or a serious health risk. Research is clear that you can do it. Take these power steps to rise above.

Know your triggers. Traffic? Mother-in-law? TV news?

Plan an alternative action when they strike. Gum instead of a cigarette… Meditation instead of drinking…

Tell a friend what you’re doing. We all need encouragement.

Get further support from a doctor, therapist or 12-step group if necessary.

Vividly imagine how you’ll feel if you commit the bad habit. Play the tape of the last million times you did it… you know how this story goes!

Keep up all your good habits – and even pick up a new one to draw your focus. Stack the new one onto a positive daily step you already take so that you associate them together without even thinking.

Reward yourself. Did you go, say, a week without biting your nails? Take yourself out for a healthy smoothie.

Look, I get it. Life is stressful, and we use little tricks to help us deal with stress or to bring us a moment’s pleasure, to build us up when other people (or our little demons) are knocking us down. It’s only natural – so don’t make it worse by beating yourself up! Instead, take positive action now.

Joining a healthy community, such as a gym or studio, is super-helpful. And you don’t have to wait until you triumph over your bad habits to start exercising, eating right, and enjoying positive friendships.

I believe we can create new habits that then give us added power and inspiration over those persistent negative behaviors, too. Fight the negative with the positive. It works every time!

Do you know what triggers you? Are you working on it? Let me know in the comments.

it’s not just working out, it’s building a foundation for a better life.

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