Is it just me, or do we all want to be better: better at work, better with our families, better with our spiritual walks, better with our health and fitness… I pray that we all strive for betterment each and everyday. We were put on this earth to do something special. How and what we do with the time given to us depends greatly on our perception.
I use the word perception quite a bit. Let’s take the classic example of the glass half full or half empty… Some would even say that it’s completely full (50% H2O, 50% air). Some would say that it depends on the substance of the glass. At times, we can be a bit too analytic, myself included. However, it’s all in the matter of perception.
Today as I walked into the gym, I got asked the question, “Is this relentless, or just crazy?” To give that more context, snow was falling, and there was about an inch of snow on the ground already, the temperature was in the teens, and it was 5:00 A.M.
I am no stranger to being called crazy or doing stuff that others call crazy. I’m cool with that. But often people wonder, why I do it and continue to do so. Well it’s all based around one of my most valuable and appreciated habits. Before every decision I make, I try to ask myself this question:
“Is this going to bring me closer to my ultimate goal?”
If the answer to that question is no, I don’t do it. Taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back is not efficient. I want every bit of my hard work to progress me forward, not to make up ground that I’ve lost. If the answer is yes, I commit to it full force!
I know, I know… Much easier said than done. This takes a concentrated effort and a discipline that alludes many.
I define discipline like this:
The difference between what you want now and what you want most.
Are you willing to give up the short-term satisfaction for the thing you most desire, even if that thing is years away?
Every success in life is masked by temporary pain, no matter what the chosen endeavor (business, fitness, etc). You must be willing to pay the price. If you’re willing to do so, I guarantee that you’ll never look back and regret it, even if you fail. However, I cannot make that same guarantee if you choose the opposite, but you still may pay the price: regret. And, I’m afraid that price comes with interest.
How do you stay motivated when your goals are so far away?
If you don’t do what you need to today to give yourself that future, you’ll never get there. It will remain a dream and you’ll always be years away. But, if you break it down into daily battles, continue to pursue it and relentlessly pay the price, day in and day out, each day will bring you closer. Your dreams will eventually become your reality.
If it takes 90 days to get there, today is 1/90th of that opportunity. For everyday that you don’t take advantage of the opportunity, it puts your goals and dreams that much further ahead of you.
Every day must serve a purpose. It must be filled with intent and a conscious effort to move forward, strive for betterment.
At the end of our lives, everybody will wish they had more time. I know I will. There will always be more that we could’ve or wanted to do. We must make the best out of each day given to us.
If I die tomorrow, I’m okay with that because I know I’ve done the most with the time given to me. Of course, I’d love for more time with family, friends and my dog; but I cherished every moment with them. You’ll never be fully ready to go but knowing that you made the most out of every moment you had, will alleviate loads of regret.
You cannot change the past but you can control your future. Make today count and take one step towards your ultimate goal. No matter how big or how far away, if you don’t take that first step, you’ll never get there.
Time is a depreciating asset. You can’t get it back nor buy anymore. Today is another opportunity to strive toward the you that you want to become.
Make Today Count!
Relentless
1 Comment
Tyrell · March 26, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Fantastic post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!
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