Fit for Life: Mindset + Vocabulary = Results

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Matt Espeut, GoLocalPDX Health +Lifestyle Contributor

Mindset and self-awareness are the most crucial components in growth and self-development

What we think about and tell ourselves usually dictates what we will accomplish in life.

Negative self-talk will always end up with a negative result, and when you think the sky is the limit, we tend to strive harder and accomplish many of our goals.

Sometimes twisting quotes and eliminating certain sayings from our vocabulary will point us in the right direction for growth.

I have tried to be conscious and NOT say certain things, and also correct my members into creating a few more positive sayings into our everyday conversations that will enhance our chances for success.

Here are a few things you can start eliminating from your vocabulary:

I’m trying.

You are either doing or not doing.

There is no trying, unless you are trying some incredible, unlikely feat such as climbing Mt. Everest, or breaking a world record. Then you need to try over and over again until you become successful.

Tasks such as eating healthy, getting to the gym, working harder, and staying true to yourself are black and white.

You are either exercising 3x per week or you are not.

If you were truly trying by scheduling your workouts, and focusing on your goals, you would be getting it done.

The same goes for eating healthy. There is no try.

Either you prepare your meals or plan where you can get a healthy meal.

If you don’t prepare, you will be eating some fast food crap that was the easiest to access when you became hungry.

There isn’t any effort expended there, so you didn’t really try.

When I talk with a member at the gym, and say how good they are looking, they usually reply “I’m trying”.

I quickly correct them and say “You are not trying, you are doing!”

By saying the word trying, you are just making an excuse for not doing.

I don’t have the time.

This is the worst thing you can say to yourself, because you do have the time, you are just spending it on non-important things, or things that you consider more of a priority.

Everyone has 24 hours in a day.

Some use it wisely, others waste it.

When you say you don’t have time to meal prep, or get to the gym, you are telling yourself that taking care of yourself isn’t a priority, because if it was, you would set aside the required time to do so.

If you spend more than 30 minutes a day surfing social media, or gossiping with friends, you are spending your valuable time foolishly.

Unless you work from 5am til 7pm, we have a 30-minute session at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp that you can attend.

All of my members have a life in addition to the gym.

They work, they have families to care for, they go to school,etc.

However, they prioritize and etch out the time to come in and get their workouts in.

They have the same 24 hours as everyone else, however, they make themselves a priority.

You do have the time to make positive changes in your life, if you make it a priority!!

I can’t.

Children are the only people allowed to say I can’t.

I can’t use the car; my parents won’t let me.

I can’t go to the school dance, I’m grounded.

If you are an adult, you can do anything you want to do, if you want it bad enough.

I can’t work more hours.

Yes, you can if making more money is a priority. If it’s not, you won’t.

I can’t open my own business.

Why, what’s stopping you?

Negative self-talk. That’s what.

Lesser people then you have done it, and so can you if you take action and get started.

I can’t workout.

Why not?

Unless you have underlying circumstances or medical conditions, you can.

We make modifications for all levels, and we can help you too.

I can’t afford it.

If the doctor told you that you needed medication that costs $1000 a month, you would find a way.

If you want something bad enough that brings you pleasure, you can find a way to acquire that also.

Don’t just reserve your funds for tragedy. Enjoy why you work and afford the things that bring you joy.

So, stop saying I can’t, because you can if you want to bad enough.

Instead of saying “I can’t” say, “That’s not a priority in my life right now”

I don’t know

This is banned from my team’s vocabulary when asked a question.

If they don’t know the answer, the proper response is “I am not sure right now, but I will find out.”

I try to eliminate this saying all together, because there is too much information available to us and it’s easy to access.

I don’t know how to do a lot of things that pertain to technology, but I won’t say I don’t know how to do that.

I’ll either bother the support team, delegate it to someone else, or try to figure it out.

I won’t let a task go undone because “I don’t know” how to do it. And you shouldn’t either.

I don’t know what to eat. Then ask.

I don’t know how to get there. Use your GPS

I don’t know where it went. Then look. Still can’t find it? Look harder and look under the rocks.

Anything else you need to know?

Good enough

What you are saying is that I don’t give a crap, and I don’t care that it’s not perfect.

Yes, perfection is tough to attain, maybe impossible, but when you try harder than good enough, you will usually reach some form of excellence.

It’s the same as settling for average.

When would you want to see an average movie, or eat at an average restaurant, or hire an average doctor to do your surgery? Never.

So, when someone patches your roof, and says “That’s good enough” or installs new brakes on your car, are you going to be happy with good enough?

Probably not, and if you are, you need to up your standards.

The world is full of mediocre and good enough, so if you want to stand out, it’s time to up your game.

Never settle for “good enough”. Take pride in everything you do and shoot for greatness. You deserve better!!

So, you can see how twisting a few words and eliminating a few quotes can program your mindset to strive for greatness that you never thought you could achieve?

Try it by writing down some things you want to eliminate saying.

I can promise you that your outlook on things on many levels will change for the better.

Committed to your success,