As the class finished and we were all headed back to our cars, several people caught up with me and said,  “Don’t be discouraged. Just keep coming back.  The first week is the toughest.”

I still wasn’t convinced that I’d be back…

But as I drove home and started thinking about the excuses I’d make not to get in shape, I heard MY inner coach speak up.  I heard myself saying one phrase that I teach in my seminars:

“How you do anything is how you do everything.” 

BAM!!!!   I needed to hear that.  I refused to be defined by excuses and failure.  So I was there at 5:00 a.m. the next day.  And the next.  And the next….

I made it through the week.  And the next.  And the next.

The pounds and inches are coming off.  My stamina is improving and I’m getting stronger.  I’ve got way more energy.  And I’ve got a lot of wonderful new friends who aren’t afraid to face a 5:00 a.m. workout.

I look forward to seeing my Bootcamp buddies every day.  We support each other.  We’re getting healthy and fit together.  And the instructor isn’t so scary anymore….

1.     Own your actions.  You are ultimately responsible for what you do or decide not to do, what you experience, how you feel, how you act and react, how you spend your time, how others treat you, how you live your life, and how happy you are.   You are responsible for you.

2.     Spend your time with positive, uplifting people.  You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.   Do these people support, encourage, and inspire you?  Or do you feel drained and tired after spending time with them?  If you have to spend time with non-positives, then find ways to minimize their influence on you.

3.     Decide what you want.  List 30 things you want to do.  List 30 things you want to have.  List 30 things you want to do before you die.

4.     Care for your clutter.  Physical and mental clutter clog your creativity and overall well-being.  Identify those irritating areas and take care of them yourself or find someone to help you.  Even the smallest change can get your energy flowing again.

5.     Be authentic.   Be true to yourself, your values, and what you were put on this earth to do.

6.     Honor your commitments.  If you say you are going to do it, do it.  If you say you are going to be there, be there.  It’s that simple.

7.     Believe it’s possible.

8.     Be grateful and gracious.   Bad behavior and unkind words are never in style.

9.     Ask for what you want.  Asking is one of the most under-used success strategies of all time.

10.    Give with no expectation of return.   Give just to give.