Maya Angelou and Herry - Source: Muppet Wiki
It’s 11:05 pm and my mind is racing. I wasn’t planning on writing a blog post tonight. Hell, I just got out of the shower and was brushing my teeth and about to crawl in bed, but I knew if I didn’t get this down “on paper” I’d be up all night thinking about it.
I need to be honest with you guys right now. Lately, I feel kind of like a phony. I sit on Twitter and Facebook and spew out motivational quotes, telling you to get your ass in gear and eat well and go to the gym and to have no excuses, trying to motivate you almost every day, meanwhile here I am actually feeling kind of shitty about myself and what is going on with me and not taking all of my own advice.
It’s not that I don’t want to take my own advice or that I’m actually not taking some of my own advice, I’m just not taking all of my own advice.
Ever since I moved up North I’ve had a really hard time to be motivated to workout out and eat well all the time. I’ve got the urge to do it and every few months I’ll start off, I just don’t follow through or get derailed. This really takes a toll on me because it’s not who I am. I’m a stubborn and motivated mother fucker and it pisses me off that I let other things bring me down and affect who I am and affect what I strive to be. It also pisses me off because it does make me feel like a phony because I’m not practicing what I preach.
The one thing that I can say for sure that I’m proud of lately, is that I’m working towards applying both the best piece of advice I’ve ever heard and one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever given in to my own life.
Recently I heard someone say “If you don’t like something, change it.” and I loved it. It was simple and it struck a nerve. I wasn’t sure where it was from, but it ends up it’s part of a quote from Maya Angelou who is a very well known black female author. The full quote goes “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” Hearing the full quote hit me even harder. I love it. Don’t complain. That ties in to my whole mantra of “No Excuses”.
Don’t complain. Change it. No Excuses.
The other piece of advice I’m going to take is actually something I said to a friend last week in conversation “Life is short and you should do what makes you happy.” Simple and to the point. Do what makes you happy.
I know that all of this is easy for me to say and I’m learning that it’s so much harder to do than I thought, but if you’re not going to try and you’re not going to do what makes you happy, what are you doing?
There are some things in my life that I’m not happy with right now. Some of it is how I feel because I’m not training hard. Some of it is how I look because I’m not eating right. A lot of it has to do with my personal and professional life, which in turn is what I think is affecting everything else.
It’s time to stop making excuses. Stop complaining. Time to Change it. And do what makes me happy.
It’s now 11:25pm and I’m ready for bed. I think this is the fastest I’ve every written a post and I think it’s simply because it’s 100% from my heart. I’m not even going to proof read this…
What are you doing in your life to change what you’re not happy with?
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I’m not happy with the way I’ve been eating lately so I’ve stepped up my game and filled my house with the things I ought to be eating. Its only been two days and I’m craving sugar like a crazy person, but I know I am going to be better and feel better, but it starts and ends with me. No excuses.
My biggest issue is ruining my diet on the weekends. I eat clean as clean can be Monday to Friday night, but then sabotage it all Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. that is going to change.
These exact words could have come out of my mouth. I just called up my personal trainer friend last night and put him on my payroll. I have to get my ass in gear.
Awesome! Go get it and NO EXCUSES!
I always find excuses to do things I love. Fitness being one of them. While I enjoy going to yoga class and really love the feeling I get after I come out of a session, I constantly keep thinking I have no time for it. My life as it stands is like this: Wake up early, commute to work (about an hour if I’m lucky), work, work, work, work, commute back home, eat maybe, shower, sleep. I definitely need to have a better routine, and somehow insert a yoga class in there somewhere.
I find that even with all the exercise you can get, without a proper healthy diet you won’t find the satisfaction you’re looking for.
So I guess… my goal here is eating better and healthier, and going to yoga more often!
You nailed it on the head! Bad diet = bad results. That’s one of my biggest things I need to change!
The hardest thing for me is dealing with things that CAN’T be changed.. so I always go back to the saying you mentioned about changing the way you think about it.–that is my challenge. I need to change my attitude on a lot of things that can’t be changed!
Side note, have you ever read this by Ralph Marston? SO good.http://greatday.com/motivate/010328.html
These are always the best posts my friend. And trust me, you’re not the only one that goes through this stuff. Work it!
You’re right. This isn’t he first time I’ve been down this road and it won’t be the last, I know this. I just need to make the change! Thanks for the support, Brad!
Great post, very inspirational. :) I am trying to develop myself professionally a lot more. I’m a new grad and there is so much university just did not prepare me for in the real world. Instead of worrying about it and stressing I’m taking courses and reading books to improve.
Also, on the personal side I’m a worrier lol so I’m trying to do less of that and live my life.
Good luck to you with changing things, if you’ve come this far to post something this honest you’re well on your way. :)
I really need to get my booty moving- so this post was EXACTLY what I needed! The excuses were getting RIDICULOUS
I was hoping my sharing was going to give others a kick in the ass as well.
The posts that are from the heart and in the spur of the moment are usually some of one’s bests because they are coming from a place of authenticity. This post proves that. Be the change – not just listen to the words of motivation to do it!
Hear Hear! I too have been where you are and go through it often. Who doesn’t?? Props to you for putting it out there.
What I’m doing to change the things I’m unhappy about: stepping outside of my comfort zone to see what opportunities are available. Putting myself out there, even if it makes me feel vulnerable. Embracing my weaknesses (physical & mental), researching/learning how to change them, and implementing plans to make myself stronger.
That’s awesome, Heidi. You’re an inspiration. I can’t wait to make my change. It starts now!
Truth? I returned to running 2 yrs ago because it was a far better option than anti-depressants – I now register for races that I can’t afford because $75 every other month is a small price to pay for my happiness, which then trickles down to the rest of my life – kids, work, etc…
The bigger question Mr Scott is: What are you doing in your life to change what you’re not happy with?
Thank you for being so honest and open with me/us!
My changes are a many but the simple ones are diet, exercise, openess and one thing I want to really try and do is read more. I’m not a fan of reading as my attention span is very short, so I want to try and read for 25 mins every night before bed. This is going to be my hardest and biggest change.
There are a few others on the way, but we’ll wait and see what happens with them!
I ADORE HER
Back in the day I wrote my thesis on MA’s writing (alll late 80s. we miss ye :)) and found so much wisdom in so many of her sentences.
I really enjoyed this post too.
raw honest and real.
She is an inspiring woman. And so are you. I get why you like her!
I needed this, Scott, if only to know I am not the only one who struggles. Time for a change. Yes, I think so.
Anyone who says they’re perfect is a liar! But striving to be someone better is real. I hope you can make your change!
great post! and so true about make changes if you do not like something. it can be hard sometimes to take one’s advice, but realizing it and doing something about it is HUGE! keep moving forward, no excuses! just as you said!
Thanks for the support! I’m a mover and a shaker, ya know!?
So,so true about making excuses. Always tomorrow or next time. I have been having a difficult week keeping on track and I am getting so close to goal. If I don’t like something, I have to be the one to change it, not anyone else. This is what first got be going in the right direction in my weight loss journey. Enjoyed your blog.
This is awesome and exactly what I needed to read today.
So inspirational! I’m glad you wrote this! I’ve been trying to change my attitude on a few very difficult things, and it’s very very difficult, BUT if I’m not moving toward happiness then where am I going? Nowhere I want to be in the long run. Life is happening NOW, not just in a week or month when we get our groove back.