“It’s difficult for an empty sack to stand upright”
I return to this Ben Franklin quote when I’m feeling weak, unmotivated or frustrated.
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Think about “standing upright” as those choices you feel you “should” make. Eating well. Minimizing indulgences. Working out. Getting up early. Reducing TV time. Spending less money.
When those choices feel hard or you just not feeling motivated to eat well, move more or be disciplined in your choices, focus on filling yourself up….mentally.
For me, when self-care and self-discipline feels hard, I’m generally not pouring into myself with my thoughts. In Franklin’s words, I’m an “empty sack”.
It’s difficult for an empty sack to stand upright.
We all find ourselves in these moments and when we’re there, the most critical thing is how we respond. You don’t have to fight against yourself and you certainly don’t have to give up or give in.
Fill yourself up. Read. Listen to a motivating podcast. Meditate. Clean your house. Dance to your favorite song. Pray. Journal.
Just realize that you might be running on empty and it’s time to fill yourself up.
This episode is explicit. This is a real conversation with a client who has struggled with body shame, self-criticism and simply being unkind to herself. While working on a personal rebrand, we have a candid conversation about where she has held her treatment of others to a different standard than the one she has for herself. It’s not right. More than that, it’s taking joy from her life and causing her pain. Most importantly: it’s self-inflicted which means she can create a change right now.
If you are sensitive to strong language, this isn’t the right episode for you. If you’re ready for a bit of fire and truth, take a listen!
The other day I had great conversation with one of the incredible humans in the Primal Potential Masters Club. In fact, she was generous enough to let me share it on the podcast. You can hear the full conversation on episode 484 of the Primal Potential podcast.
After our conversation, I was reflecting on that conversation and a few others while writing in my journal. In just a few words, I unintentionally wrote a poem.
If you’d rather listen to this post than read it, please click play. Otherwise, keep reading below.
It’s going to take work whether you walk or run so pick up the pace and let’s get it done.
It doesn’t matter what change you want to create – it’s going to take effort. It’s going to take discipline. You’re going to have to make tough choices.
Whether you go slow or you go fast, it’s going to take hard moments.
But here’s the thing: if you’re making progress, it’s going to feel easier and you’re going to be more positive about the process.
It reminds me of a quote I heard a few months ago:
If you’re tired of walking, run.
Instead of pulling back and being inconsistent, lean in to the struggle and double down on your effort & intensity.
For more on this idea, don’t miss episode 484 of the podcast!
Last week, I had a powerful call with one of my Primal Potential Masters Club friends. We were talking about how she wanted to rebrand herself. We’re doing this to give us a great sense of certainty & direction that will help in all our many moments of decision making.
Having that clarity in their brand makes all their decisions easier. As they decide what should be in their lobby, what the guest rooms should look like, what their restaurants should serve and which books they should act, they will be guided by their brand: we are in the holy sh*t business.
So, those of us in the Primal Potential Masters Club are doing the same. Today, I’m sharing with you one of those conversations. I know you’re going to love it!
In episode 481, I introduced the idea that you don’t lose your way, you choose your way.
If you’d rather listen to this blog than read it, please hit play. Otherwise, keep reading below.
So many people talk about how they have lost their way or they have fallen off the wagon as if it wasn’t simply a result of choices they made.
I don’t say that to condemn or criticize. I say it to remind you that when it comes to the choices you make, you are in control.
There is no losing your way. Good, bad or indifferent, you are choosing your way. In every moment, you are choosing. You’re choosing your attitude, your perspective and your actions.
When you take responsibility for your choices, there’s less drama and less powerlessness. You simply own the fact that you make choices.
You can choose to be critical or you can choose to take responsibility without emotion. Drama free ownership.
You can always make a different choice.
You don’t lose your way. In every moment, you choose your way.
