This is #33 of 40 Things I’ve Learned In 40 Years.  To see a list of these short daily writings, click here.

I mentioned previously in this series that the biggest mistake I made was refusing the help of others.  And more recently I’ve written about keeping your word and finishing what you start.  I suppose these themes are on my mind lately because this week I started working with a coach.

Like many people, I’ve recently been reviewing the past year and considering goals for the upcoming year.  My honest review revealed that I’ve kind of been in a rut lately.  And by “lately” I mean the past 3 years or so. . .

My finances have been a wreck.  My health and fitness has bounced around from inspiring to embarrassing.  And I’ve detached myself further and further from family and friends.  I’ve tried much of the standard advice for change – but I haven’t changed.  I haven’t kept my word to myself.  I haven’t finished what I’ve started.

One of my favorite quotes is from Einstein:  Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.  I decided it was time to do something different.  I decided it was time to do the one thing that I have the most difficulty with but would likely have the greatest impact – I asked for help.

And what the hell, even Michael Jordan had a coach right?   Stop the insanity.

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This is #32 of 40 Things I’ve Learned In 40 Years.  To see a list of these short daily writings, click here.

I sit down to write this blog post and I know that I don’t want to do it.  Have I even learned 40 things in 40 years?  Oh sure I’ve learned my share of odd skills. . .  I can juggle, play the harmonica, make paper diamonds, and disassemble an M-16 rifle – but have I learned 40 things worth writing about?  Maybe not.

But then again, there are really no downsides to completing the series.  I may even write something great by pushing through these posts that are admittedly less than stellar and coming out on the other side with new inspiration.

I’m by no means in favor of bashing your head against a wall when it’s clear the wrong path has been chosen.  Sometimes you do have to quit before the finish line – but only when finishing will obviously do more harm than good.  Otherwise I say push on if for no other reason than to keep your word.  Finish what you start.

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This is #31 of 40 Things I’ve Learned In 40 Years.  To see a list of these short daily writings, click here.

Honesty and integrity are the foundations of character.  Keeping our word with others is important to establish trust and harmonious relationships.  It can be challenging at times, but there is the leverage of having someone else depending on us doing what we said we would do to help hold us accountable to our word.

Keeping our word to ourselves is different.  When there is no one else there except the man in the mirror, it’s easy to fudge the lines and give in to the temptation found in gray areas and self-told white lies.

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This is #30 of 40 Things I’ve Learned In 40 Years.  To see a list of these short daily writings, click here.

Once upon a time, movement was necessary for survival.  We climbed trees to pick fruit.  We threw spears and then chased down the day’s meal.  And we sprinted away from predators trying to make us their day’s meal.

Now we can ride in motorized grocery carts as we navigate the aisles of processed food-stuffs at the local supermarket.  The biggest threats we face are not from predators or invaders but from illnesses that result from our modern lifestyle.

As a fitness professional I have my preferred exercise methods for building muscle, gaining strength, or losing fat – but the most important thing is to just move.  The body is not designed for cubicle dwelling and the worship of 60 inch television screens.  I don’t care if it’s yoga, badminton, hiking, swimming, walking, running, or what ever else form of exercise you may enjoy, but do it.  And do something nearly every day.  Move.

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