Tag: Just BE Better

Start Before You’re Ready

Everything does not have to be perfect.

Perfection is a myth. If you’re waiting for the right time, the perfect moment, the flawless plan—you’ll be waiting forever.

If you want to make a change, if you want to force the future, the best time to start is now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not when you’re “ready.” Now.

The beginning of anything worthwhile is messy. It’s supposed to be. Growth doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from the willingness to be uncomfortable, to take risks, to show up consistently.

In fact, chasing perfection is often just fear in disguise. If you were perfect, where would you go? What would you learn? What would be left to fight for?

There’s no such thing as a perfect start. But there is such a thing as momentum—and you can create that today.

So don’t wait for things to be perfect. Make the move. Shift the mindset. Build the habit. Force the future.

Because the future doesn’t belong to the perfect. It belongs to the persistent.# Force the Future

# Just Be Better

# Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

Forge Your Character in Tough Times

What you do when life is easy says a lot about your habits.

But what you do when you’re cold and tired defines your character

That’s when your identity is forged.

That’s when growth happens.

That’s when success is earned.

Anyone can put in the reps when the sun is shining and the path is smooth.

But who are you when it’s dark and uncomfortable?

Who shows up when motivation fades and the only fuel left is discipline?

That’s the version of you that matters.

So…
What do you need to work on?

  • Your comfort-zone habits?
  • Or your discomfort-zone identity?

Choose wisely. The mirror is watching.

#JustBeBetter

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

Everyday is an Interview: The Metallica Audition

I was recently watching the documentary about how Robert Trujillo landed the role of bassist for Metallica. The man is incredible—his energy, talent, and resume are legendary. I was already a fan of many of the bands he played with before Metallica, but seeing him walk into that audition and own it was inspiring.

Trujillo came in prepared. He already knew several of their songs, not just on a surface level—he could play them confidently, with feel and groove, ready to rehearse with the band that day. No hesitation. No excuses. Just music.

What stood out was how some of the other bassists didn’t seem to know the songs. These were seasoned pros. Musicians who had played in big bands, toured the world, and made records. But when it came time to show up for one of the biggest auditions of their careers, they weren’t ready.

Why?

This was Metallica. One of the most iconic bands in the world. If you’re walking into that room, your baseline (no pun intended) should be knowing their setlist, inside and out. If it were me—and this applies far beyond music—I’d be researching the band’s most recent shows, pulling setlists, and walking in ready to play at least five of those songs cold. Ideally more. You’re not just there to “audition”—you’re there to be perform.

Robert Trujillo got the gig because he was talented and prepared. He respected the opportunity, did the work, and walked in like a guy who already belonged there.

That’s the whole point of Everyday is an Interview. You never know when the call will come, when the room will open, when the shot will be there. When it does—you need to be the person who’s ready. Not almost ready. Not sort of familiar. Ready.

#Just Be Better

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

Get Out of the Passing Lane!

Lately, I’ve noticed an increasingly frustrating trend: drivers merging onto the highway and immediately heading to the left lane—only to sit there, blocking traffic. They’re not passing anyone. They’re not moving faster than the flow. They’re just… there, clogging up what’s supposed to be the passing lane.

It’s getting so bad that the right lane is often the best option for making actual progress. The left lane, once the domain of efficient overtaking, has become a parking lot for oblivious or inconsiderate drivers.

What happened to basic driving etiquette? The left lane is for passing—not for cruising, sightseeing, or daydreaming. If you’re not actively overtaking another vehicle, move over!

We need better drivers who understand and respect the flow of traffic. So, here’s a friendly reminder:

  • Merge smart. Don’t rush to the left lane if you’re not keeping up with traffic.
  • Pass, then move over. The left lane isn’t your personal highway lounge.
    • Be aware. If cars are stacking up behind you, take the hint—it’s time to slide over.

Driving should be about efficiency, safety, and respect. Let’s get back to better habits and keep the left lane what it was meant to be: a passing lane, not a parking lane.

What do you think? Have you noticed this problem getting worse?

#Just Be Better

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDDD

Why Left Lane Is Not for Slow Drivers

I recenThe Left Lane Is for Passing, Not Parking

I recently read a post from a frustrated driver complaining about someone tailgating them on the highway while they were driving in the left lane. It’s a common scenario—one driver feeling rushed and another feeling entitled to the lane. It’s also an unnecessary source of road rage that can quickly escalate into dangerous territory.

Let’s get something straight: the left lane is not the fast lane—it’s the passing lane. There’s a critical difference. The left lane exists for overtaking slower traffic, not for camping out indefinitely. Yet, too often, I see drivers jump straight into the left lane as if it’s their personal expressway, moving at their own pace and ignoring the flow of traffic. Whether it’s because they think they’re the best drivers on the road or simply believe they have the right to cruise there, they’re missing the point.

The rule is simple: Move over to pass, then return to the right. Sticking to this philosophy not only keeps traffic flowing but also minimizes frustration and reduces the likelihood of aggressive driving behavior like tailgating.

Now, tailgating itself is another issue—no one likes a driver riding their bumper, and it’s a reckless way to express impatience. But much of this frustration could be avoided if we all respected the basic principle of highway driving: Keep right except to pass.

It’s not about ego, and it’s not about who’s in more of a hurry. It’s about efficiency, safety, and respect for the rules of the road. If more drivers adopted this mindset, our highways would be far less stressful—and much safer—for everyone.

So, next time you find yourself in the left lane, ask yourself: Am I passing, or am I just holding up traffic? If it’s the latter, do everyone a favor—move over and let the road breathe.

# Just Be Better

#Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

Getting Sick – Recover 

It is inevitable. The workouts are going great, and I am pushing boundaries at work, at home, with my guitar playing and Taekwondo. And BOOM, out of nowhere, I get the flu. I lose my steps streak and cannot read, work out, play, or do anything else but recover.

I hate getting sick. I know it means my body has decided to fight off something, and everything else can wait, but I am not that patient. It is not like I can be sick for a few days and automatically pick up where I left off.

Like anything else we teach, when things go wrong, you have to recover. When I get sick, I have to adopt the mindset that I will heal. Then, and only then, will I begin my recovery in everything: work, home, exercise, music, Taekwondo, etc. I have to accept that I will not be able to lift weights at my previous level, and I will have to recover to get back to those levels.

Recover – Develop the Mindset and Develop the Plan

  1. Accept the Setback – The sooner I acknowledge that I am sick and my body needs rest, the sooner I can begin recovery with intention rather than frustration.
  2. Prioritize Rest and Nutrition – Sleep, hydration, and nutrient-dense foods become the most critical factors in speeding up recovery. I cannot outwork sickness, but I can fuel my body to fight it off.
  3. Ease Back In—Whether it’s work, training, or personal pursuits, returning 100% too soon is a recipe for a longer recovery. I have to accept incremental progress.
  4. Regain Momentum – Once I am back, I focus on small wins: walking before running, light practice before full exertion, and mental preparation before physical execution.
  5. Learn from It – Getting sick reminds me of the importance of resilience and self-care. How was my sleep before I got ill? Was I overtraining? Was I pushing without prioritizing recovery? Adjustments will prevent future setbacks.

Setbacks are part of progress, and the ability to recover efficiently is as important as any other discipline. It is not just about returning to where I was but learning how to return stronger.

#JustBeBetter
#StayHealthyStayStrong
#IOwnTheMorning
#WWKDD

Rainy Weather 

It never ceases to amaze me how drastically driving skills deteriorate when it rains. I’m not talking about the speed demons who think they’re training for NASCAR—I mean the drivers who slow to a crawl at the first sight of raindrops.

Last week, we had a serious downpour. I expected a slightly more challenging commute, but I didn’t realize the real test would be my patience, not the road conditions. For 15 minutes, I was stuck behind a driver too terrified to approach the speed limit, braking at every slight curve as if the road were made of ice. When I finally reached the highway, I hoped for relief—only to find the slowest drivers clinging to the left lane, tapping their brakes every few seconds like they were keeping time with a song on the radio.

It was clear: these people were scared. It was as if they were experiencing rain for the first time.

Here’s the thing—driving while scared is dangerous. It doesn’t just put you at risk; it endangers everyone around you. If you’re uncomfortable driving in certain conditions, be honest with yourself. I know I’m not great in the snow, so I avoid driving in it whenever possible. That’s not weakness; that’s self-awareness.

So, be smart. Be safe. And if rain makes you a hazard on the road, consider another way to travel.

#JustBeBetter

#StayStrongStayHealthy

#IOwntheMorning

#WWKDD

Too Busy? That’s a Good Problem to Have

When people tell me they’re too busy, I tell them they’re lucky—lucky to have a purpose.

Being busy at work means you have responsibilities that matter. Being busy with family means you have people who value your time and presence. Busyness is often a sign of a full, meaningful life.

But even when we understand that being busy can be a good thing, there are moments when the sheer demand for our time leads to stress and anxiety. When that happens, we need to take two important steps:

1️⃣ Recognize it – Acknowledge when busyness turns into overwhelm.
2️⃣ Develop strategies to manage it – Have tools ready to regain control.

How I Handle Stress from Busyness

I’ve gotten better at recognizing when stress starts creeping in. But the real challenge is what to do next.

Here’s my go-to strategy:

✅ Box Breathing – I use a simple breathing technique to reset my mind:

  • Inhale deeply through the nose for 4 seconds
  • Hold for 2 seconds
  • Exhale slowly through the mouth for 4 seconds
  • Hold for 2 seconds
  • Repeat as needed

This quick breathing exercise reduces stress, clears my head, and helps me regain focus.

✅ Singular Focus – Once I feel calmer, I tackle one thing at a time—no multitasking. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything demands your attention at once. But by focusing on a single task and completing it before moving on to the next, I simplify my busyness into productivity.

Final Thought

Being busy isn’t the problem—letting it control you is. Recognize it, reset, and take things one step at a time.

What are your strategies for managing busyness? Drop a comment, and let’s share ideas!

#JustBeBetter’

#StayHealthyStayStrong

#IOwnTheMorning

#WWKDD

One Thing at a Time

I once had a friend tell me that tackling one thing at a time until completion doesn’t necessarily make you more time-efficient. He was referring to grading one question on a test for every student before moving on to the next question.

I took him at his word and tried it his way. While I wasn’t any slower, I was far less accurate and, ultimately, much less effective. That lesson has stuck with me ever since.

Focusing on one thing at a time isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about excellence. Recently, I caught myself juggling multiple projects: developing online training, writing a book, and composing music for an album. Thankfully, I didn’t have a Taekwondo test to prepare for on top of it all.

If you want to be successful, commit to finishing one thing before jumping to the next. Watch what happens when you truly focus—your progress compounds, your results improve, and you build something meaningful over time.

One thing at a time. One step closer to success.

#JustBeBetter
#StayHealthyStayStrong
#IOwnTheMorning
#WWKDD
#OneThingAtATime

Flexibility

The other day, I was listening to a presentation on the parts of the periodic table. The instructor explained that nonmetals are brittle, and then she asked the class, “What’s the opposite of brittle?”

A student confidently answered, “Strong.”

It wasn’t the right answer. The correct term is malleable (Flexibility). But that moment stuck with me because the student’s perspective was insightful in its own way.

Think about it… Flexibility = Strength.

This concept resonated deeply.

I want to be strong, and I work hard to achieve this—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But to be even stronger, I must also work on my flexibility.

Strength isn’t just about how much weight you can lift, how fast you can run, or how unshakable you appear. True strength lies in your ability to adapt, to bend without breaking, and to adjust when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

So, flexibility is an essential part of strength, whether it’s stretching to prevent injury, opening my mind to new perspectives, or adapting to life’s curveballs.

This week, I challenge you and me to focus on building strength and flexibility.

#JustBeBetter
#StayStrongStayHealthy
#IOwnTheMorning
#WWKDD