I feel like a broken record at times. I sit here trying to come up with new and exciting blog ideas, and yet, I keep coming back to the same boring and repeated messages. Why? Because, they are the ones that will most count in your life, and, you probably missed this message or weren’t paying attention the last time I wrote about it. Yesterday is gone and there’s nothing you can do to change it, and, tomorrow will never come. That leaves one day, and one day only that you have control of. That day is… today. My question is; are you living today like it’s the most precious commodity there is? Are you making choices today, based on what you learned yesterday and what you want in the future? If not, the past is wasted and the future unknown. Everything is controlled by what you do today, so, make it count.
This week has been an incredible one for me in St Louis, USA. The people I have met, the talks I have done and the connections I have made have excited me, more than I can say. I have spoken about it before, but the part of my character that I am most proud of, is my propensity to act immediately when an idea comes into my head. I think it’s more because I am scared to forget about it if I leave it till later than anything else. Whatever the reason, it helps me to take action on and in this day, and it’s incredible what happens as a result.
There’s no arguing with the fact that, action leads to wonderful results. It’s also very true that inactivity leads to doubt and frustration. So, which would rather, wonderful results or doubt and frustration? Dumb question, right? So, why aren’t you acting today when you know you should? Instead of ‘shoulding’ all over the place, can I suggest we take the advice of Benjamin Mee, who said to his teenage son in the movie, We Bought a Zoo, “You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”
The small action you take today, no matter how easy or difficult it is for you, will start a ripple that will impact many lives, trust me. The phone call you have been dreading, but make in that 20 seconds of insane courage, will start the process of mending a relationship, building a business or creating something amazing. The decision you make and action you take to start getting your health and wellbeing back in order will inspire others to do the same, and, impact many lives, not least your own. The courageous choice to send a message to an unknown person on LinkedIn could transform many lives, as has happened for me. I know that the message I sent six months ago and the things that happened this week is just the very beginning. I believe and expect that what will eventuate is going to be the wave of wellness around the world that I am working towards.
Just 20 seconds of insane courage!
It was six months ago, as I was arranging my trip to the USA with the help of my great friend Deb, an incredible lady living in St Louis, I knew I needed to start making connections in St Louis so that I could maximise my time there. I had no idea, at that time, what one simple message to a lady who I didn’t know would lead to. I am by nature, shy, quiet and reserved. Many people who know me will disagree with that comment, but when it comes to reaching out to people I don’t know, I am right out of my comfort zone.
On LinkedIn I came across a lady, named Michelle, who lived in the St Louis area and on her profile she described herself as a global wellness coach. That got my attention. Then the fear set in, as I knew I should message her, and, doubt reared its ugly head. What would I say? Would she respond? How would she respond? What if nothing happens? All these uncertainties and fears ran through my mind, and then I thought of Benjamin Mee, and, 20 seconds of insane courage. Honestly, it really didn’t require insane courage to send the message, but it did require some. So, I stopped thinking, stopped worrying, stopped doubting and just sent the message, in that moment.
Well, as is often the case, when you take action, something good happens, and, Michelle sent me a reply. Now, let me just try and explain where that one simple, immediate action, on that day six months ago, has led. Michelle arranged for me to speak to her organisation, which was amazing. She introduced to an fabulous couple Cindy & Christina, who introduced me to a very successful businessman, Mike, and his son Brandon, who led me to meeting a successful chiropractor and author, and, then to one of the most inspiring men I have ever met. This man, Dr Tom Hill, is in his 80’s and running marathons, writing books, building businesses, mentoring entrepreneurs and making a global difference.
We all got together to organise an event, that happened in St Louis this week, at a place called OsteoStrong, owned and run by another amazing and inspiring lady, names Jaime, who is making a massive difference in the world. The event went brilliantly, the message is starting to get out into the world, and the ripple leading to the wave of wellness is happening. These are the people I came to the USA to meet, and I know that many more big things will come from this association and the coming together of passionate and purpose-driven people… all wanting to change the world.
It all started with taking action, in that moment, and sending that one simple message to Michelle. I love the quote; Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift. Please don’t waste the precious gift you have in your hands, right now. What are you waiting for? Are you waiting to be motivated? It will be a long wait, so start now and the motivation will come! Are you waiting to be in the right mood? Decide now to be in that mood. Are you waiting for better weather? You are waterproof, so get out and do it today. Are you waiting for more time to open up? You are in control of how you spend your time, so turn off the TV, put down your phone, and there you go… more time has opened up, today! Are you waiting to know more before starting? Get started to today and I promise you will learn everything you need to know, once you are in action.
Are you getting my drift? Every day you let pass you by without taking the required action, is another day in your finite life that you will lose. We have one life, we get one shot, we live for a period of time and then we are gone. Take action today. Get started now. Find and enlist 20 seconds of insane courage immediately. When you are taking action today, and you create the habit of taking action today, you will get to the end of your life saying, ‘I’m so glad I did,’ rather than, ‘I wish I had.’ It is with all the encouragement I can muster that I implore you to not waste this moment. Act now, today is the only day you have.