A very good article was sent to me this morning by my trainer:
Time, Energy, Motivation, and Toilet Paper
Brett Klika C.S.C.S.
Have you ever felt you would be more successful, fulfilled, and happy if you found the time/energy/motivation (TEM) to do the things you wanted to do? If you only didn’t have to work so much, right? If you only didn’t have so many obligations. If you only were born one of those “motivated people”. If only you had different circumstances, everything would be perfect.
On earth, we all breath the same air, survive by a similar heart beat, and have 24 hours in a day. Where then, do some seem to always “find” the TEM to make their life fulfilling? The answer? They quit the search. They knew they wouldn’t find anything. They decided to create it.
It’s like when you move out of your parent’s house and into your own for the first time. Whoo hooo!!! No rules! No curfew! No….. toilet paper. You inconveniently discover that the Toilet Paper Fairy is the same person as the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. You usually come to this reality under rather “unfavorable” circumstances.
You desperately ransack the house, but know you won’t find anything. Why would you? You spent your $5 on more “important” things: beer, beer, beer, and ice for beer. All of which could only worsen, not solve, the dilemma. You keep looking to no avail and eventually turn to the wrong tools for the job. Lesson learned.
Much like the Toilet Paper Fairy, the TEM Fairy doesn’t exist. In the adult world, if you don’t create it, it doesn’t exist. If you have a lack of TEM, what have you done to create it? If you don’t allocate resources appropriately to do so, why would it exist?
We all know that searching for things that don’t exist is a waste of time. Many people still continue to “look” for TEM and are forced to use the wrong tools for the job in the meantime. Television, video games, caffeine, excuses, lethargy, and gossip are the wrong tools for creating TEM.
In order to create TEM, we must stop dispatching these improper tools that only worsen our dilemma. Our learned dependence on these ineffective tools is what Jim Lahre, author of “The Power of Story”, calls our “old story”.
Your old story is the one you have learned to tell yourself in order validate your actions, or lack thereof. This story is your cage. It imprisons you while fooling you into a false sense of reality. The story is imaginary, the prison is real. Your old story is the wrong tool for the job.
To create TEM, you need a new story. This new story doesn’t focus on what you can’t do, it focuses on what you will do. The new story puts you in the driver seat to make choices that positively affect your TEM.
In your new story, you will define what is important to you and create time for it. This may mean not spending time on things like TV video games, or other fruitless activities (unless this is what is important to you). You may need to create time by getting up earlier in the morning. Not a morning person? Old story, move on.
You will create energy by living the way humans were designed to. Commit to moving, eating, laughing, and sleeping well. These are all the components of creating, sustaining, and expanding energy. If you don’t create energy, you won’t have it. Caffeine and other drugs are the wrong tool for the job long term.
You will create motivation by creating a clear purpose for yourself. Write it down. Create a “WHY” for your efforts. Nourish yourself with information, people, and other resources that make this WHY more clear. As with food, the quality of your nourishment will determine the quality of the end result.
Quit trying to find TEM and create it. The TEM fairy is as imaginary as the Toilet Paper Fairy and Santa Claus. In the adult word, if you want something, you have to get it for yourself. If you don’t, it won’t be there when you need it. Create a new story of success and surround yourself with the right tools for the job.
I love it!!! NO EXCUSES!!!
I'm still not happy with the scale...she and I are trying to come to terms with our differences. I think it has to do with my portion sizes but whatever it is...I better see some results soon or I'm going to be ticked :)
My most exciting meal yesterday was my salad. I tried a new dressing at the cafe (probably another of my problems) - Lemon/Honey vinaigrette and it was SO GOOD! I will try to stay away from it but it may be a Friday treat or something :) Below are my foods for the day.
Of course other foods were mixed in here...I had a monster and it resembled pea soup again and started the day with my oatmeal. Dinner was crust from the kids pizza...LOL
We grabbed a pizza and went to the pool last night to hang out. We had a great time!!!
Then I crashed HARD!
That's it for today
Find your TEM and TTFN!!!
