Stretch Yourself and Finish Strong!

As we near the end of a challenging year, I can think of no better advice than to stretch yourself and finish strong.

Life comes at you. And during those times life comes at you, you’re certain to encounter obstacles as you pursue your goals. Obstacles that are resolved in a split second, and some over a long period of time. Regardless of the obstacles, only you have the power to choose how to respond to the tasks at hand.

My mother used to tell me that it is not the circumstances in which you find yourself that define a person; it is always the choices you make. I like to call these stretch choices – that moment in time when you must make a choice. Will you lie down, settle, or quit? Or will you stretch yourself towards your goals with focused energy to the best of your ability.

I have some things to share but first, one point about goals: Write them Down, Keep them Visible. I know we have all heard this before but this is very powerful for maintaining focus.

Make them Specific, realistic, measurable, and attainable.

Don’t just say I want to lose 30lbs say
Goal: 30 lbs this year
Realistic: I am going to lose 2.5lbs month
Measurable: By eating using portion control & walk/run 3 times a week

Take it back to the basics. Assess where you currently are, then ask yourself what is the next immediate step that will bring you closer to your goals. Lastly, go over it, first thing in the morning, review it during the day and lastly, before you go to sleep. This creates a focus that you have never experienced, will keep you positive, and of course, your eye on achieving your goal.

This year has been an emotional rollercoaster for my family. My father in law transitioned in October after an intense battle with pancreatic cancer. Subsequently, my grandmother transitioned two weeks before Christmas, succumbing to renal failure. Watching them come to a complete peace in their final days inspired me with a renewed passion to stretch myself and finish strong in all my endeavors. I know that is what Ji Ji and Grandma Julia would want me to do.

So I don’t want to paint a fluffy cloud, bright sunny day picture that when you make that choice to stretch yourself and finish strong, all of a sudden your world will change and everything will be easy. The fact of the matter is stretching yourself is hard – rewarding, but hard.

You see, when you break out of the comfort zone and develop that mindset and hold yourself accountable for all your actions, you’ll find yourself being more committed, disciplined, passionate, and focused. You will perform to the best of your ability. And if you can’t handle the pressure, then you’re resigning to mediocrity that has made you unhappy so far. But if you resolve to stretch yourself and finish strong in all your endeavors, I can promise you that you will be totally satisfied with your life based on making that choice. After all, life is all about choices; why not choose to be completely happy with where you want your life to lead you?