I read a quote that really resonated with me that stated, “I don’t have to do anything. I get to do everything.”
Jourdan Brown
For the past few years, I have been setting new year’s goals instead of resolutions. A resolution is defined as ‘a firm decision to do or not do something’ while a goal is defined as ‘the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.’ My goals are never focused on sacrifice or deprivation but instead on working towards bettering myself.
This year, I decided to turn my focus to my mind. I read a quote that really resonated with me that stated, “I don’t have to do anything. I get to do everything.” It seemed like such a simple change of perception but I wanted to start practicing it in my life. Here is an example of how I have incorporated this thinking into my life and the shift in my internal dialog that I practice and have been continuing to practice:
Alarm clock goes off:
“Ugh, I don’t want to get up.”
Mindful: “I get to wake up today! Never take that for granted.”
Getting out of bed:
“I don’t feel like getting ready.”
Mindful: Time to put myself together and take on the day!
Preparing breakfast:
“I really don’t feel like making food right now.”
Mindful: “I’m going to make a delicious, healthy breakfast to fuel my day!”
Getting ready for the gym:
“I can’t believe I have to go workout right now. I am not in the mood!”
Mindful: “I get the opportunity to move my body and workout. How lucky am I?!”
Bending Towards the Positive
This might seem a bit corny, but it has brought a new appreciation to my life. I have always been a positive person but I didn’t realize how easily I was allowing little negative thoughts to slip into my daily thought process. By becoming more mindful, I have slowly been able to train my brain to be naturally inclined towards more positivity. This change has had such a positive impact on my life and my workouts. I find myself more grateful and excited for each opportunity I get to move my body and have felt a shift in the overall quality of my workouts.
My challenge for you is to start paying attention to your thoughts. Notice when you are positive and negative and then start to actively practice mindful positivity. Our thoughts are the tools that help us create our lives. They can be as powerful or destructive as you allow them to be. The more mindful you become of your thoughts, the more you can align them with your goals. Just like training your muscles in the gym, the more you train your brain to think positively, the more it will innately do so.
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About the Author
Jourdan Brown
Jourdan Brown is a Certified Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer and Primal Health Coach.
She also manages the Front Desk at Fitness Incentive.