Fit for Life: I Got Sloppy & Complacent

Fit for Life: I Got Sloppy & Complacent

A couple of weeks back, I did a self-assessment and concluded that I was getting a little sloppy with how I lived. I did this assessment after reading a book by Dave Ramsey called "Total Money Makeover," designed to help people escape debt. 

 

I compared my situation to some of the stories I read about people being six figures in debt, tightening their finances, and becoming debt free in a few years. I was grateful not to be in that situation, and after reading the book, I took action and started to implement the system he outlined for me. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

I already have some mutual funds locked in for retirement and have what he calls a small emergency fund. However, I had a big credit card that was sucking the life out of me. It was maxed out, accruing a ton of interest and giving me anxiety. 

 

When we came out of Covid, my business was decimated. However, I managed to get out of debt by not traveling so much, and that was a good feeling that helped me sleep better at night. 

 

At the end of 2022, I started traveling more, sending my team to training, and implementing a new program at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, and within a blink of an eye, I was facing a mountain of debt again. 

 

Well, I fixed that last week by taking my savings and paying off the credit card, and except for my house and car, I am in a better situation for it. (My savings looks terrible, but I will relentlessly focus on getting that back.)

 

While driving with my girlfriend, I expressed how relieved I felt and needed to pay better attention to my finances because I got sloppy with my spending. 

 

I also noted that I was getting a little sloppy in other areas of my life, and I needed to sharpen the sword and tighten some things up. 

 

By my standards, my nutrition wasn't on point. I was eating bread more than usual, finishing desserts left over from the weekend, and sometimes, I needed to eat more. I was also getting sloppy with my routine. I was getting up at 6:30 or seven some mornings and staying up a little too late watching tv that affected my sleep. 

 

In other words, I was getting complacent and needed to hold myself to the standards I set. I have good self-awareness and am hard on myself, so I knew I needed to tighten these things up before they bled into other areas of my life. 

 

I maintained my work ethic, desire, and drive to serve others. My workouts were still brutal and consistent, and I showed up daily for my team and members, making it easy for me to get back on track. 

(I realize life isn't about just me; others depend on me, so that keeps me from getting complacent.)

 

So how does talking about me help you? 

Here's a list of questions for you to answer. 

 

• Do you let people go first / hold the door for others when entering a store or at an intersection?

• Do you return your shopping cart when finished or leave it in your car? 

• Do you hit the snooze button in the morning?

• Do you quit something when it gets challenging or inconvenient? 

• Do you take shortcuts when no one is looking? 

 

Suppose you answered those questions the right way, then good for you. If not, it's time to do a self-evaluation, character, or integrity check because what is happening is you are seeking the easy way out and being complacent in your actions. 

 

You may think all those questions I asked are insignificant and have nothing to do with leading a successful life. However, when you do one or all of the above, it helps you stack wins throughout the day, builds character, and builds self-integrity, which leads to fulfillment.

 

They also require you to stop being complacent and go the extra mile. Letting someone go first, holding the door, and saying hi to a stranger will usually get you a smile, wave, or thank you, making us feel better.

 

•When you put that shopping cart back, you are going an extra step and making someone's life easier.

 

•When you jump out of bed and start your day without hitting the snooze button, you start the day with a win and keep a promise to yourself that you made the night before when you set your alarm. 

 

•When you Going the extra mile when no one is looking is a significant boost to your self-integrity. The only one who will know if you took the easy way would be you, but you didn't, which builds a strong character. 

 

•When you continue to show up for workouts, even when life is hectic or you don't feel like it, it will help you physically and mentally. You will feel more accomplished. 

 

So how do you develop the mindset to go that extra mile when you have goals and priorities? 

How do I do these difficult things and stay consistent and not get complacent? 

 

Three words: Do it anyway. It's that simple when you develop the "do it anyway" mindset.

 

I never feel like taking a cold shower, but I do it anyway. It's a small challenge that I try to talk myself out of every day, but I do it anyway and feel fantastic after I do.

 

You think I love to work out because I own a gym, but I don't. I dread every workout, but I do it anyway because I feel immortal when I am done. 

 

I don't feel like getting up at 5:30 every morning, and I don't need to, but I do it anyway and get shit done before the rest of the world wakes up. By noon, I have already worked a 6-hour day and feel accomplished.

 

In conclusion, you are not alone in life's struggles and getting the hard stuff done daily. 

 

It's human nature to seek the easy way and get complacent, so very few people are fit and healthy or even happy living in their skin. 

 

The big secret and mindset tip is:

 

Don't be obsessed with the actions required to get there, be obsessed with the outcome of the goal you are trying to achieve. Ex. Don't be obsessed with fitness, be obsessed with being fit and healthy. 

 

When you adopt that mindset and focus on the goals you set for yourself, you won't fold when it comes time to do the hard stuff; you will "do it anyway."

 

Committed to your success,

Matt