Push to Get the Results You Want

I’m confident we can all agree: We have no idea what tomorrow may hold.

Whether we are talking about the stock market, our individual health, or simply the weather, many things can change drastically from one hour to the next. 

Speaking of weather, that is one thing I don’t miss about the Midwest, where I spent my college years. Thankfully, California doesn’t have random rainstorms in the middle of the summer.

We do have earthquakes, though. I suppose “better” is in the eye of the beholder.

Now more than ever, I’m learning the value of giving something all my attention or everything I’ve got. My efforts and focus have shifted several times recently. More than once I have found myself comfortable with being passive and lackadaisical day to day.

Probably not what you’d expect from the author of a column titled “No Good Excuse.”

Certainly not at all what I expect from myself. 

I recently heard a clip of motivational speaker Eric Thompson talking about commitment. Eric ultimately challenges listeners to commit to an objective without any hesitations, without any backup plans. His analogy of rowing in a boat resonated with me.

When you decide to get in a boat and start rowing out into the water, there comes a point where rowing is the only way you’re going to move in a direction on purpose. Sure, the winds and the tides might cause some movement, but if we leave our destination up to the seas, it’s unlikely we’ll end up where we want to be.

If we’re out in the middle of a lake or an ocean, we can’t just get out and walk home or call Uber. If we want to get to shore, we’re going to have to give it all we’ve got and continue rowing to dry ground.

If I don’t pick up my oar and start rowing toward my objectives, 2020 will come to an end before I know it and I won’t be able to blame the economy or the government for my missed objectives.

I understand and accept that some things are out of my control, such as the stock market and certain aspects of my health. Some days my financial portfolio is growing and some days it’s shrinking. Some days my balance or energy levels are worse than others, compliments of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). 

I may have to rethink my objectives or adjust my approach or my efforts.

But ultimately, how I respond to circumstances determines my outcomes and my results. I can’t change my FA diagnosis, but I can certainly choose whether to row in spite of it or just sit in the boat. Either way, the choice is mine to make.

Rest is absolutely important and vital to our success. However, there is a difference between resting and being lackadaisical and it’s up to me to carefully balance the two so as not to be pushed in the wrong direction by the weather, the economy, or even my health.

I don’t know what tomorrow may bring, so pushing myself today is the only way to ensure movement in the right direction.

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Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.