Helping Women Live Longer, Healthier, Happier Lives! |
 The Past Does Not Equal The Futureby Geralyn Coopersmith Today I wanted to say something about seeing the future as you want it to be. If you're like me, it's easy to get into a mindset of "Well, it's always been like that for me...that's how I am...that's how it will always be". A belief system like that is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The reality is that many people have made radical changes
in their lives at any age, because they believed it was possible and
they made strides in that direction every single day -- no matter what. Take my friend, Andrea, who in her thirties lost 85 pounds, got into amazing physical shape and became a personal trainer. Now keep in mind that this was an overweight, deconditioned woman -- who ate terribly, didn't workout, married with kids to raise. All odds were against her. Not only did she get into amazing shape -- she competed in natural bodybuilding events. She believed it was possible for her -- and slowly and surely she recreated her body -- and her life. Tony Robbins (one of my heroes) is fond of saying, "The past does not equal the future". He reminds his students that just because you didn't do it yesterday or last year or ten years ago doesn't mean you can't do it. Virtually anything is possible if you believe that you can do it and if you persist no matter what. (Tony himself went from a being a janitor, completely broke and out of shape to being a fit, successful, multi-millionaire) Robbins specifically suggests sitting down and picking that goal (or goals) that you want to achieve and then writing down WHY you are completely committed to making it happen. He also suggests you motivate yourself with, as he terms it, both "the carrot and the stick". He wants you to write down with as much emotion and detail as you can about two things: 1) all the wonderful ways in which your life will change for the better when you achieve your goal and 2)...(here's "the stick" part) what it will COST you in your life, if you DON'T achieve it. He points out that human beings are designed to avoid pain and seek pleasure. Therefore, if you use those dual forces to get leverage on yourself -- you will develop a strong enough "why" to continue towards your goal when the going gets rough or the road seems long. Just because you weren't successful at working out regularly, or eating right, or losing weight, or whatever in the past...doesn't mean diddly. So why don't you try this with just one of your 2007 goals (health-related or otherwise)? Write down:
I'm challenging you
to try this -- just for the next 30-days and see if it doesn't help
move you closer in the direction of your dreams. Disclaimer: The information contained in this
newsletter is not intended as a substitute for medical care. Not all exercises
are appropriate for all individuals. Please consult with your doctor before
beginning any exercise program. |
