Fit for Life: You Don’t Have “Problems…”

Saturday, February 04, 2023

Matt Espeut, Health & Lifestyle Contributor

 

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Do you dwell on problematic situations?

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Do you get anxious when things don’t go as expected?

Do you panic when the worst-case scenario actually happens?

Do you get irrational and overreact when a “problem” arises?

 

A problem is composed of 3 parts:

1. A deviation from normal

2. You don’t know the cause of the deviation

3. You choose to do something about it.

 

Good news. I have a perfect solution for all your “problems.” (Notice the word problem is always in quotation marks)

 

Here’s the deal: 99% of all our problems, have a solution, and when there is a solution, you no longer have a problem, you have a decision to make.

 

Let’s use an example of deviation from normal: You have gained 20 + lbs over the past year. (Hopefully you realize this isn’t normal, or better yet, the right thing to do)

You know what caused it, so you know what it will take to remedy the situation.

Therefore, you don’t have a problem, you simply have a decision to make.

 

The weight isn’t the problem, the weight is the symptom of the past decisions you have made.

 

You need to decide if you are going to continue to live your life walking down the path of self-destruction, or are you going to start taking action today and remedy the situation.

 

Once you make that decision, you can’t stop there. You need to take massive action.

The willingness and ability to consciously choose and act decisively is where the real power lies.

 

Personally, I always think I have money problems. I never feel like there is enough, and when the bills come in, I sweat it out until they get paid every month.

 

I finally came to the conclusion that I don’t have a money problem because my income exceeds my necessary expenses every month, and I always pay all my bills on time. However, I have a spending problem.

 

I know what causes my anxiety about money.

I know the cause of the deviation.

My choice was to hire a financial coach, create a budget, and think long and hard before I make large purchases.

No problem there, I just needed to start making better decisions.

 

Note that hiring the coach didn’t make the difference, he just guided me in making the right decisions, because I wasn’t sure how to remedy the situation.

 

Now I have 5 different bank accounts where I allocate my income, use a spreadsheet and stash away all the necessary funds to cover my expenses. I do this religiously every Monday morning for the past year, and it has helped me save.

 

The same goes for our coaching program at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp.

You don’t get results by just paying your membership.

You get results by showing up to workouts, and following the nutrition plan we create for you.

The coaching is the GPS, however you need to be the driver, and decide to follow our guidance.

 

The 2 key elements to eliminating problems, in my opinion, are:

1. Self-awareness

2. Taking action

 

Let’s start with self-awareness. Lack of self-awareness is the wrecking ball in our lives.

 

If we don’t self-reflect, look in the mirror and realize we are responsible for everything in our lives and we have the power and control to change our circumstances, we will continue chasing our tails, living in despair, pointing our fingers, blaming everyone else, and crying victims.

 

If you are overweight, don’t blame the fast food industry, stop eating crap.

If you are low on funds, don’t blame the economy, look for opportunities.

If your relationships suck, and someone makes you miserable, stop spending so much time with them and either cut them from your life, or edit your relationship.

 

The key here is to take responsibility of your issues and make the decisions needed to solve them.

 

Taking action is the deciding factor, because thinking about doing something over and over again will get you the same result. That result is no results, and a world of frustration and misery.

 

Here’s a 4 step process for taking decisive action that I got from a book titled “Straight Line Leadership”

1. List out what you are interested in accomplishing

2. List out what you are committed to accomplishing.

 

Now put away the interested list, and let’s focus on the committed to accomplishing list.

3. Now, list out what you are committed to accomplishing later.

4. List what you are committed to accomplishing now

 

Now set aside the later list & focus on the committed to accomplishing now list.

Make a decision. Take the required action and attack the list.

 

It sounds simple, and it is, but it isn’t easy because self-reflecting and taking accountability for your actions can sting at times. It’s easier to sit on the couch and watch TV than going out in the cold to get a workout in.

 

It’s easier to blame the world for all the inconsistencies in our lives.

Instead of blaming traffic for being late, say to yourself, “I should have left earlier,” etc.

 

Instead of blaming time restraints for not doing what you are supposed to do, make the time and manage it relentlessly until you get the desired outcome you are looking for.

 

As humans, we tend to take the path of least resistance and seek comfort, however, growth happens outside of our comfort zone. Remember pain initiates transformation.

 

Committed to your success,

Coach Matt

 

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