Why do we do what we do when we know what we know? Why do many of us eat take-away foods on a regular basis when we know they lack vital nutritional needs? Why do some of us smoke cigarettes when we know they may well lead us to lung cancer? Why do we not prioritise an exercise session into our days when we know that our bodies need to be moved and physically challenged? Why?
We have more knowledge, science, and expertise available (much of it FREE) to the current generation on this Earth than any previous generation has had before, but yet we are the sickest of any generation. Yes, medicine and drugs save our butt, but that doesn’t mean we are smarter, and it certainly doesn’t mean the overall health of our bodies is any better. Medicine is a result of technology and evolving scientific revelations, but it’s also a consequence of their needing to be that particular medicine or drug to fight the illness or ailment it’s manufactured to manage or cure. Ironic, isn’t it.
There is more cancer and lifestyle-type disease on this planed than there ever has been before. This is the scary truth. Something needs to change. Our attitudes and priorities need to change.
Why do we do what we do when we know what we know? I think it comes down to 2 main points: 1) Firstly, we are comfortable where we are and we don’t like to get uncomfortable. It’s also more convenient to stay where we are and continue to do what we do because changing anything disrupts our day to day flow and can be deemed a hassle; 2) Secondly, we often don’t feel like there is a physical reason to change because many of the life-threatening conditions that grow within us are symptomless to us. We can’t actually feel them. We can’t feel our cholesterol increasing just as we can’t feel a malignant tumours growth either. It’s not until medical personnel confront us with an almighty scare that many of us are motivated to change; or at least those who have the fortune of time to make a change and do something about it. We don’t need to let it come to this.
What we do on a regular, day to day basis has a big impact on our internal and external health. We only get body, we must nurture it. Our body is a temple, our own temple. It must be respected.
So then, where to from here? How do we improve the aspects of our own personal health that we deep down know need changing? What would a wise person tell you to do? We need to use this knowledge, science, and expertise, and we need to use it to our advantage. We need to apply it practically to our day to day lives. But how?
The answer – we need to get uncomfortable, we need to get funky with our current routines, and we need to do it with passion and belief that the grass is most definitely greener on the other side.
And we do it in four simple steps:
- Goals – First and foremost we need to identify some goals. We need our goals to define where we are going, and we need our goals to inspire us and drive us. We need them to be realistic, to have meaning to us, to be measurable, to be achievable, and to have a dead-line. Goals give us purpose. Sit down and define what health or fitness goals you need to create.
- Planning – Failing to plan is planning to fail. It’s an oldie but a goodie. Without a map we’ll struggle to find our destination. It’s all well and good to have goals, but without a strategy to achieve those goals they’ll simply just stay sitting in front of us looking pretty. Set your goals, but outline your plans too, and have them detailed, but entirely do-able.
- Action – First comes the goals, then comes the planning, and that should set you into action. We need to practice our new habits, repeatedly, daily, regularly. Our new habits enable our goals to come alive. We need to act them out, according to our strategies in our plan, and we need to do it with enthusiasm, optimism, and without looking back. You must be uncomfortable before getting comfortable. You need to step out of your comfort zone before you experience magic. Make sure you have some positive action in the right direction every day.
- Repeat – The three steps above must be repeated. Once you’ve achieved your initial goals, ensure you set new ones. Then create a new plan, and new strategies aligned with that plan. And then act on the new habits that align with the goals and the strategies. They needn’t be big fat goals every time. But having goals directs us, keeps us enthused, and will keep us thriving and living life to the max.
