Even if you have not worked up a sweat from exercise since your freshman PE class you can start exercising today. Start off with small defined goals such as walking 1 mile 3 days a week for a month. Once you have attained that goal create another such as walking 2 miles twice a week and jogging 1 mile once a week for a month. You will be surprised how quickly your body responds, and as a result your mind,  spirit, and energy level will improve as well. If you are severely out of shape, you’ll want to consult your doctor before starting out to make sure you don’t hurt yourself.

Many things compete for your time throughout the day. No matter your well made plans, things always come up to change them. That is why you must condition your mind to wake your body up early and exercise when nothing else can drag you away.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

Early bird gets the worm.

She writes:

“Your basic character, your strengths, your flaws, these all go with you, for better or for worse. You cannot escape yourself, no matter how far you walk. To try is folly.”

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-10/6-travel-truths-youll-never-escape.html

This question is most always asked in social situations here in America. It is a very loaded question. “Do” means  your occupation; what work you do to earn a paycheck. The answer immediately puts you in a strata; it defines your class and position, both economically and socially. The answer will usually determine if the conversation flourishes or falters.

I contrast this with the question asked in other parts of the world. You see, in other parts of the world, your business is just that: YOUR business. Only if you volunteer your occupation do people discuss it. The question I was asked most often in social situations while living in the West Indies was, “What do you LIKE to do?”

You see the difference?

I was taken quite by surprise the first time this was asked of me. I had to actually stop and think about what I like to do since I was so conditioned to answer the question of what I did for a living.

Since then I like to remind myself of things I like to do. Here are just a few…

- sailing (although I get very little opportunity to do so)
- playing competitive sports (there are very few things that get you in the moment than pure head to head competition)
- getting and giving back rubs (no explanation needed)
- watching my kids’ faces when they try something again and again and finally get it right.
- watching the sun set (something magical every time)
- swimming and snorkeling (ah, the sea!)
- laughing with friends and family (best therapy ever)
- running on the beach or through the woods (endorphins with a view)
- coaching and teaching others (sharing knowledge makes me smarter and happy at the same time)
- preparing dinner from homegrown vegetables

So next time you’re meeting new people ask them, “What do you *like* to do?”

• Stairs twice a day: My building at work in 10 stories. At 10 am and at 3pm I take a short break to ride the elevator down to the first level and walk the stairs to the top. Average workout time is about 2 minutes 30 seconds. I have 3 co-workers who join me now.
• Walk to work:  I used to do this more often when I didn’t have to take my oldest daughter to school in the morning. Even then I take the car home for lunch and walk back to the office.  If the road is dry I ride my Xootr
• Push-ups: Before the coffee has finished brewing I hit the deck and crank out 31 push-ups. Takes about 45 seconds. I like to add the one on the end to grow on. I try to get a set in at night too but have to be careful not to let the boys see me or I end up as horsey instead.
• Plyometrics: Yeah so I look like an idiot doing 30 lunges down the hallway but in about a two minutes I get a nice leg workout.
• Playground: Most have monkey bars – perfect for pull ups and chin ups. I try to sneak a set of both in while being “the monster” (chasing the kids around the slide and jungle gym).

Keeping fit makes me happy.

“Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.”

- Jonathan Swift

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Doesn’t make much sense when you first hear or read it, but look closer then think about your own actions in daily life and it really starts to make complete sense.

Since ever I’ve done things – everything – just above average. Not poor, not great, but good enough. I wouldn’t settle for mediocre, but nor would I strive for remarkable.

Now I’ve taken a step back to observe my work more and make an effort to really be remarkable in anything I do so that everything starts to become remarkable.

I hope it sticks.