I did it.
I did it!
I. Did. It.
I don’t usually like to brag, but I’m proud of myself. Why? Because I did what so many others (myself included) have failed at time and time again: I kept a New Year’s Resolution.
I’ve always had a mixed relationship with the “resolution” mentality. The idea sounds good, right? Who doesn’t want to forget the last year (or two) and turn the page for a fresh start?
But reality is a harsh teacher. Over my nearly twenty years in the fitness industry, I’ve seen too many people set lofty goals only to crash and burn…sometimes even before they start. Here are a few Golden Oldies from the Resolution Hall of Fame.
“This year, I will go to the gym six days a week.”
“I will track all of my calories and macros in MyFitness Pal.”
“I am going to give up wine.”
What do these all have in common? They are all “physical.” Sure, we gravitate toward goals like losing weight or running a marathon with good intentions for ourselves and our loved ones.
But statistics clearly show that most people give up on their resolutions within 30 days. I’ve been there and done that myself, so I decided to try something different last year: I would set my sights on reading.
My resolution? I would read two books every month for the entire year. One book would be new, and the other an old favorite from my library. The real catch, though, was that both books had to focus on professional development. In other words, they had to help me and the team improve the Bodysmith.
Depending on what kind of reader you are, this could sound like a lot. (By the way, I know someone that reads that much every week!) But I kept my resolution and figured out ways to make it fun, too. I rode my motorcycle to a small town bar on Sundays during warm weather, where I enjoyed a beer and a few hours with my nose in a book. Wednesday mornings, I scheduled an hour to drink coffee and read while famous gym dog Trudy slept on my lap. Ahhh, the simple pleasures of life 🙂
I’m encouraged by this success, so I’ve decided to take it up a notch. This year, I will keep my reading on the same schedule while adding something else to the mix.
A few weeks back, a member with whom I enjoy great conversations said to me, “Brad, we need more art in our lives.” He was right, so that’s what I’m going to do, and I’ve gotten off to a great start.
I listen to new music every day and am committed to trying new restaurants with a friend every month. I’ve also included time every week to complete online music courses to continue to improve my knowledge and skills. I have become a real hermit during the pandemic, which has only amplified my introverted nature, so in 2022 I feel like I need to step out a bit more. Wish me luck!
Drop me a line and let me know if you have tried any non-fitness resolutions. I’m always looking for ideas 🙂
~Coach Brad
