You Put Yourself Where You Are

As we prepare to flip over the calendar to a new year, it’s a great time to take stock of where you are and where you’re going next year. For a variety of reasons, I’ve had some tough times in 2022. I over-committed both personally and in my business. That led to more work, more spending, and more stress than I like to have.

But in talking with a friend recently, I had to admit, “I put myself in this position. I walked here one step at a time.”

I actually find myself making that assessment on a regular basis. And, I think, all honest people can make the same assessment.

I’m overweight by about fifteen pounds – all of it in the beer belly. I know how I got here. In fact, I know the way out. So I have to own the fact that I need to eat less (and drink less beer) and exercise more. I got here one step at a time, and I need to get somewhere else one step at a time.

My budget is tight because of the decisions I’ve made and my spendthrift ways. I did that. I put me here. And I know the way out. I just have to make reasonable commitments and spend a reasonable amount of money.

Don’t get me wrong: It’s not all bad. I have a great relationship with my daughter. I built that, too. I walked here one step at a time for thirty years. I know what it takes to maintain that relationship, and I execute as well as I can.

I have friendships all over the world. I know how that happened. I did that – one step at a time. And when those friendships start to fade and need to be reenvigorated, I’m the one who has to do that.

Whether it’s creating a new future or maintaining a status quo, we get what we work toward. My motto for life and business is, “Nothing Happens by Itself.” So, if I don’t like some aspect of my life, I need to accept that I did whatever it took to create my current reality.

And I need to figure out how I’m going to create the healthier, fiscally smart person I expect to be a year from now. Because I have I to get myself there, one step at a time.

Just a random thought on a sunny December day.

Your feedback is always welcome.

🙂