u003cpu003eI know people who are extremely intelligent and have consumed more how-to books in a year than most people will read in their lifetime. Yet they are still in the same spot they were 5 years ago. Why? Because they never implement the actions the books outline!u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eEverywhere you turn you can hear people lavishing praise on the act reading a books, reading articles, and educating yourself. But let me tell you something:u003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eBOOKS AND INFORMATION ARE AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF TIME IF YOU NEVER ACT ON WHAT THEY TEACH YOU!u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eI'm sure you have heard of u0022analysis paralysis.u0022u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eThis enslaves many people - especially perfectionists and those who are afraid to fail at anything. So what happens? They succeed at NOTHING ... nothing significant anyway. Because significant success usually requires frequent failure.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu0022To dou0022 lists are worthless if they never turn into u0022doneu0022 lists. Telling yourself u0022just do itu0022 can't compare to hearing yourself say u0022just did it.u0022u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eLet's talk about u0022Just do itu0022. Yes, the popular Nike slogan. Why did it catch on so well? Probably because it is so needed. I remember working with a client in Coppell who was whining about her lack of energy and the burn during an exercise, stalling rep after rep. u0022Just do it already!u0022 was all I could say. It was all that needed to be said. In the blink of an eye, her entire demeanor changed - and she did it. She did it intensely. And she got it done, as well as the rest of the workout. By the way, she thanked me later.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eWhat's my point? Sometimes we don't need as much information as we think we do, but rather a kick in the butt or a slap in the face. I'm not talking about physical violence. But I am talking about a u0022wake-up call.u0022 I have been working with people for a while, and wouldn't you know when people come to me most? During the u0022wake-up callu0022 moments their life:u003c/pu003enu003cpu003e- a marriageu003cbr /u003e- a birthu003cbr /u003e- a divorceu003cbr /u003e- a deathu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eWhy do we wait for these things before we start to take control of ourselves?u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eBeing in great shape can help you better find a mate.u003cbr /u003eBeing healthy before you have a baby will give you a better baby.u003cbr /u003eBeing at optimal health could save your marriage from divorce.u003cbr /u003eBeing in great shape can prolong your life.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eBut what do we do?u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eWe wait.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eWe wait 'til we've set a date to get marriedu003cbr /u003eWe wait 'til after the baby is bornu003cbr /u003eWe wait until the divorce papers are signedu003cbr /u003eWe wait until the doctor predicts our deathu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eLook, you can bad mouth the hare from the u0022tortoise and the hareu0022 story all you want, but at least the hare was in the race and left the starting line! Go fast with some breaks. Go slow and steady. For the love of God, just make sure you GO!u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eMany of us either sit in the stands or sit at the starting line. Let me give you a piece of advice: don't wait until you hear the starting gun to run! There isn't one in life. Each person starts the race toward their goals whenever they start moving in that direction. And guess what? They often finish in the same order. Some make it across the line in time. Some run out of years. My suggestion? GET MOVING!!!u003c/pu003e
Thomas C. Jensen is an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and a nationally certified personal trainer through both the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Harding University and a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. As a wellness speaker and franchisor, he has shared his expertise in health and fitness with diverse audiences. He has been professionally training and consulting clients of all ages and backgrounds, for both health and human performance, for over 20 years. In March of 2004, he launched Elect Wellness, a thriving home-delivered personal training and nutrition coaching company, which has since expanded into an effective franchise system.
