Tag: StayStrongStayHealthy

Patience Over Perfection: How to Stay Motivated When Growth is Slow

Progress rarely arrives in dramatic leaps. Most of the time, it creeps in slowly—too slowly, if you’re like me, tracking your workouts, measuring your waistline, and stepping on the scale with hopes of seeing meaningful changes each day. When those numbers barely move, it can be maddening.

Despite what every coach, trainer, and motivational quote says about “enjoying the journey,” I still crave results. And I want them now. But here’s the truth I keep reminding myself: I didn’t get out of shape overnight, and I won’t get back into peak shape overnight either.

It took years of habits—some good, some not—to build the current version of myself. Rebuilding, reshaping, and reclaiming my fitness and focus will take time. But that doesn’t mean it’s not working. It just means the progress is happening beneath the surface, where discipline is forged and resolve is tested.

Each day I choose to stay patient, I’m not just building muscle or losing unwanted fat—I’m building grit. The gains may be small, but they are real. And the person I become during this slow grind? That’s the real reward.

So if you’re working toward something—whether it’s physical, personal, or professional—and the pace feels agonizingly slow, don’t give up. Stay patient. Stay focused. Stay in the fight.

Because strength isn’t just measured in pounds lost or inches trimmed. Sometimes, it’s measured in the courage to keep going when nothing seems to be changing.

#EveryDayIsAnInterview
 #JustBeBetter
 #StayStrongStayHealthy
 #IOwnTheMorning
 #WWKDD

Force the Future – Start Messy

After a lot of thought, research, and meetings, I finally broke down and hired a trainer. I chose Naylor Body Design, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is that you can’t do everything at once. Each new action my trainer gives me is designed to build a new habit — not just a quick fix, but a lifelong skill. That requires patience. It demands focus. It challenges me to slow down, master one thing at a time, and accept that starting messy is part of the process.

Sure, I would love instant results. If it were easy, I would have already hit all my body composition and fitness goals. But lasting change doesn’t come from doing everything perfectly right away. It comes from embracing the messy start, showing up, and committing to the slow build.

Force the future — even if you have to start messy. It’s the only way real growth happens.


#JustBeBetter
#StayStrongStayHealthy
#IOwnTheMorning
#WWKDD

Frustration or Lesson?

This morning started with a small panic.

I was trying to get out the door early for a workshop over an hour away. I knew traffic would be heavy, so I planned ahead. Shoes on, bags packed, ready to roll.

Except for one thing—I couldn’t find my phone.

Ten minutes passed. I retraced every step. No phone. I needed it for navigation and communication—non-negotiables when heading into unfamiliar territory. I started to feel the frustration creeping in.

Finally, I found it.

Tucked neatly into the pocket of the weight vest I wore earlier during my walk with Kix. The walk was productive, the vest did its job—and so did my forgetful mind, apparently.

Now I had a choice:
Be annoyed that I misplaced it… or learn from it.

Could I have gotten angry? Sure.
But would that help me improve? Not likely.

Instead, I chose to take the moment as a lesson. Put things back where they belong. Build better habits. Keep it simple.

The more we treat mistakes as feedback rather than failure, the faster we improve.

#JustBeBetter
#IOwnTheMorning
#StayStrongStayHealthy
#WWKDD

“Everyday is an Interview: The Power of Being Prepared”

This morning, I stopped by my favorite bagel shop to grab breakfast for a meeting I was hosting. While I would have preferred a spread featuring more proteins and fruits, I let the team decide, and their unanimous choice was bagels with cream cheese.

As I stepped up to the counter, I confidently told the cashier my order—down to every last detail. Her response caught me off guard. With a mix of amazement and relief, she said, “You know exactly what you want. I wish more of our customers were like that. You wouldn’t believe how much time people waste deciding. Their indecision stresses the rest of the line.”

I was stunned. The bagel shop’s menu is as straightforward as it gets, and they thrive on loyal, repeat customers. Yet, indecisiveness seems to be a daily challenge for the staff and a source of frustration for those waiting.

This experience left me thinking: How often do we walk into situations—whether in a bagel shop, a meeting, or even an interview—unprepared, unsure of what we want or how to articulate it?

The Takeaway

Preparation is powerful. Whether ordering breakfast or walking into an important meeting, taking a few moments to clarify your goals makes a difference.

  • For You: Confidence comes naturally when you know what you want.
  • For Others: Your readiness saves time and leaves a positive impression on those you interact with.

So, before you step into any “line” in life, take a moment to think ahead. Whether deciding on your bagel order or outlining your goals for a meeting, preparation is a skill that serves you—and those around you—well.

After all, everyday is an interview, and being prepared is one of the best ways to leave a lasting impression.

#Just Be Better

#Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

#I Own the Morning

Who I Want to Be

Everyone occasionally needs a wake-up call to remind themselves to embody the person they want to be. It’s easy to act with composure and confidence when things are going well or others are watching. However, the true test of character arises in moments of frustration and adversity or when no one is watching. 

How do you behave when:

– No one is watching?

– You feel overwhelmed by emotions?

– Circumstances aren’t in your favor?

It’s essential to acknowledge that no one is perfect. Instead of criticizing ourselves for these moments of weakness, we should embrace them as opportunities for reflection and growth. 

When we recognize that we’re not living up to our ideals, we must take a step back and assess our reactions. This self-awareness is the first step toward making positive changes. Ask yourself:

– What triggered this reaction?

– How can I respond differently next time?

– What steps can I take to align my actions with my values?

By committing to an ongoing self-evaluation process, we can gradually transform setbacks into stepping stones toward becoming the best version of ourselves. Remember, growth is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the challenges, learn from them, and continue striving to be the person you truly want to be.

#Just Be Better

#Stay Strong, Stay Healthy

#iownthemorning

Driving Lessons from a Commute: Stay Safe and Sane

My wife and I had the rare opportunity to drive to work together. I am glad we did. We kept each other calm as one driver decided to use the morning commute as a tryout for a live Frogger event. She weaved in and out of traffic. Each time she would reenter a lane, she cut off another driver. At one point, she was so frustrated with the speed in the left “passing” lane that she darted into the right lane without looking, forcing the driver in the right lane to veer off the road.

There is no excuse for this. 

Driving recklessly in an emergency will not improve your chances of reaching your destination. The priority should be arriving safely, not on time.

If the person was driving recklessly because they were late, they should have front-loaded their day better not to endanger the lives of those around them.

#JustBeBetter

#StayStrong, StayHealthy

#iownthemorning