Lane 8.org

Far Upper Right Corner

Some people are gifted. Mentally, physically, spiritually, financially.

Where do you place yourself in this mix?  Honestly, on a good day, I’d give myself an average at best, and quite possibly a below average in some.

And yet, there s a popular saying that says, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

And so it goes for all of us. We look inside ourselves for our motives, our values, our determination, and even for the ever elusive indomitable will. And we have varying degrees of success. But mostly, failure.

And a few years ago, while taking a “coffee break” by the proverbial water cooler, two colleagues were talking about the Atkins diet they were following. And so I asked antagonistically.

“Why doesn’t anyone ever ask me what I do for my diet?”  And their ignorant, but honest, reply was instantaneous.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”  To which I replied.

“I worry about it every single day, that’s why I don’t need to worry about it.”

Put up or shut up.  But please don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Feeling overwhelmed?  We all are.

There is hope.  It’s free.  But it’s not easy.

You must do the five simple steps from Lane 8’s blog post two days ago, if you intend to transform yourself.

You can (repeat, CAN) become conditioned to work on two or three impossible goals simultaneously.

But not until you’ve had some success doing it one at a time.

Look, you won’t find easy answers here.  You’ll find simple answers, but nothing here is going to be “easy”.

Will I ever make it to Lane 8?  No, but that won’t stop me from trying.  And in the process of never giving up, perhaps I’ll stay healthy for the rest of my life.

And maybe, just maybe, if the best runners in the world have their worst day, and I have the absolute best day of my life, maybe the finals in the worst lane, Lane 8, isn’t impossible after all.

And maybe reaching your impossible goal isn’t impossible either.

Lane 8's First Guest Blogger

Today’s Lane 8 post is from a West Chester University graduate, United States Marine, Husband, Father, and a man who understands what common sense means. Skip Gaskill also understands what self-discipline means. And it is an honor to introduce you to him now.  Skip, take it away:

“What characteristic is it that many of us lack on our journey to achieve excellence?

The self-discipline to stick to our chosen paths.

Why?  Because it is often too hard, too difficult, too painful, or down right inconvenient.  Do you compromise your integrity for convenience sake?  Do you rationalize your decision when you know you’re wrong to do so?

Self-discipline means doing the right thing when no one else is looking.  My kids think I’m “Goofy” (pun intended) for driving the extra half mile instead of making an illegal u-turn.  I choose to set the example for my children.

Lack of self-discipline can be conquered if you really want to improve yourself.  Start small, take baby steps if necessary.  You will have great joy and should be proud of yourselves when you actually accomplish one of your goals because you had the self-discipline to see it through.

Whether it is running a marathon, quitting smoking, eating better, or being a better person, self-discipline is a key ingredient in the recipe for excellence!”

The road to excellence has no finish line.

This Everyday Health article basically says what I’ve been saying all along here at Lane 8:

1. Pick one impossible goal, not several
2. Start small
3. Be creative with your motivation
4. Find a million ways to keep it alive
5. Don’t quit

Simple?  Yes.

Easy?  Not on your life.

This Everyday Health article shares six really common sense, and practical, tips for focusing on our sleep.

These things are painful to contemplate aren’t they?

Sleep, fiber, exercise, flexibility, colonoscopy, healthy body weight (BMI), cholesterol.

It is a sincere hope that you will appreciate Lane 8’s daily push (or maybe it’s a pull).  In his wonderful book about living, which he wrote as he was dying, Randy Pausch cautioned us to not hate people who nag us.

They nag us because they love us.  Start to worry when they stop pushing or pulling you to do better or differently.

Do you get that? I’m not trying to show off.  I’m  just trying to show.

It can be done.  You can do it.  But you have to want it. And you have to want it bad.

Our Body Houses Our Temple

It seems to me, in looking around at all the people going about their business, that very few make diet and exercise a priority.

Can we all agree on that?  Or, is this notion completely misguided?

The only thing that comes to mind right now is, “Why?”

Excellence Has No Finish Line

Click here to read about the most legendary coach of all time.  You won’t recognize his name, but his record of accomplishment will blow you away.

The only reason you are invited, and encouraged, to read it is because most have never heard of this remarkable coach, his vision, his habits, his life.  Soon enough, he will fade away, along with his amazing accomplishments.

This really is your only opportunity.  Your life is too busy to come back. Being excellent at what you do requires you to work harder than the people who are good and very good at what you do.

So why do it now?  Because if you don’t have time now, you won’t have it later either.  This is the way life works and why those who are excellent develop a “do it now” habit.

Excellent people also know that their next best idea can come from others who are extraordinarily excellent.

Why? Because it could hold a simple angle or simple tactic to your success.  But you may never know….

Lane 8 Is Impossible

How long have you been on your journey to live a healthy, or healthier, lifestyle?

How many times have you tried, but soon found your motivation waning?

How many times – perhaps like now with the Olympics – do you really get serious and really get excited about becoming totally committed?

At some point, we have to come face to face with the truth about our habits.

And only a few will actually transform themselves.

Do you get this concept yet?

Don't Do It

Quitting.

He's Counting On A Role Model (for life)

Ever struggle with your motivation to exercise or with making smart food choices?

(If you said no, you’re lying)

Yesterday while at Gold’s Gym Orlando, I asked one of the staff, “What is it that makes some people commit to exercise for a lifetime and others quit after a few weeks?”

What do you think?  How would you answer it?

I suggested that we can not do it for ourselves, we must do it for someone else. If we fail, we only let ourselves down. But if we do it for someone else and we fail, we let them down.

The other person challenged my rational (which is exciting), and in the speed of the day, neither one of us, in this casual conversation, really had a desire to debate this further at that moment.

Yet on the drive home, what I had been trying to say was revealed. We need to be a role model for great health habits. This is the secret that eludes people.

You must be someone’s role model, for life. This means you can not fail. There is no greater motivation.

If this is flying over your head, you’re at huge risk to miss this simple, but compelling health secret.