2015 is quickly coming to a close.
Crazy right?
I’m curious… have you taken a look at where you stand with the commitments and goals you made for yourself at the beginning of the year?
If you haven’t, I say do it.
Are you on track? Ahead of schedule? Behind schedule?
Where Are You?
I know I’m definitely on track with some of my goals and way off track with others.
I have a 50 mile race coming up in Jan 2016 and I’m behind schedule in my training.
I recently went for a run and felt terrible. It was hot out, my body was tired, and I did something I don’t usually do… I stopped and walked for a bit.
I started to get down on myself and began thinking…
“I should be feeling better.”
“I should be on track with my training schedule.”
“I shouldn’t have stopped and walked.”
Should of, should of, should of…
Whatever.
I noticed my silly thinking and put a stop to it immediately.
The fact is I was out there, training, running, in the game, giving it my all.
Am I on track? No.
Am I in the game, in the arena? Yes.
The Arena
Nothing’s ever perfect, it never will be.
What matters most is that we’re taking action, moving forward, and making progress, because when we are, we’re…
It’s in the arena that we grow, we learn, we get better.
It’s also in the arena (not in the stands) where all of the fun takes place and opportunity exists.
I may be behind schedule in my training for my ultra-marathon, I may have felt like shit recently on one of my runs, and I may have walked for a bit but in spite of it all, I was in the arena.
If you’re taking action, giving your best and find yourself behind on some or all of your goals for this year…. don’t sweat it or get down on yourself.
You’re not perfect, I’m not perfect, and that my friends, is perfect.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about making progress.
Progress happens in the arena, not in the stands – looking on as others work, plan, sweat, and grind to achieve their goals.
If you’ve been in the stands for a while… get up, get moving, and back into that arena – no need to wait until Jan 1st, 2016 to do so either.
It’s Not About A New Year, It’s About A New Life
We don’t need to wait for the first of the year to get started.
You can get started and back into the arena today.
Whether it’s to get back on track with goals you set for yourself this year or begin preparing yourself for the goals and commitments you will strive for in the new year.
If you really want to get a jump start on your upcoming new year and get yourself back into the arena sooner than later, here’s a 6 minute video I created that’ll help you get started.
Being In The Arena Simply Means Taking Action
Decide on what it is you want first and then take whatever action necessary to achieve it.
Getting into the arena doesn’t require us taking massive steps to get in either.
It’s small steps, taken daily and consistently, that gets us into the arena and ultimately takes us where we want to go.
What are these small steps you ask?
They’re a lot smaller than you probably realize.
Let’s Talk Small Steps…
If you want to lose weight…
Get in the arena and start drinking a huge glass of water daily.
If you want to run a marathon…
Get in the arena and start walking or jogging around your neighborhood for 10 minutes a day.
If you want more energy…
Get in the arena and start eating a healthy breakfast every morning.
If you want more confidence…
Get in the arena and start doing 10 push ups per day.
When You Don’t Know Where To Start, Just Start – Anywhere
It’s taking action (small steps) that’ll get you into the arena.
It’s in the arena that all the support, encouragement, and motivation necessary to succeed exists.
It’s in the arena that our strength and courage to pursue our goals increases.
It’s in the arena that our belief of what’s possible begins to shift.
No on the sidelines, in the stands, or anywhere else – but in the arena.
There’s only one way into that arena – and that is to take action.
The is no barrier to entry either when it comes to getting into the arena.
No tickets, no fee, no waiting line.
All that’s required to get into the arena is your commitment to take action, small action – daily and consistently.
Nothing more.
Take Action
What is it you’d like to achieve, create, or get done in the last few months of this year?
Maybe it’s to start jogging, exercising daily, drop a few pounds before the holidays, or increase how much water you drink daily.
What is it for you?
Decide on one small step you will commit to completing daily that’ll put you in the arena and on your way to achieving your goal.
Start walking or jogging around your neighborhood for 10 minutes per day.
Completing 10 exercises everyday.
Eat a healthy breakfast every morning.
Drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning.
These are all small steps that’ll get you into the arena where the magic happens.
It’s In The Arena That All We Seek Is Created
We don’t have to wait until the beginning of a new year to get in either.
We can get into the arena today and start creating all it is we want.
Give some thought to want it is you want to achieve in the last few months of this year?
What small steps can you begin taking today, daily and consistently, that’ll put you in the arena?
I’d love to hear what that is for you and have you share it with me in the comments below.
Thanks for being here… you’re awesome.
See you in the arena.
This is such a great reminder – something that I definitely fight with as well. We are raised to think the New Year should be full of new resolutions – it is in fact each day we can start a new chapter. Thanks again for getting our head back in “the arena”!
Thanks Kristen! 🙂 I like how you view each day as a new chapter too… Awesome! It’s definitely not all sunshine in rainbows in the arena, but it definitely is where all of the fun and opportunity takes place. Cheers!