You’re free to steal this, ok? Although, I recommend you tweak it based on your lifestyle.
About 2 years ago, I shared the “11 Rules I Live By” that makes my life so much easier and it can do the same for you.
Think about this for a second… if you had some clear, simple rules that you created for yourself to follow, wouldn’t it be easier than to rely on willpower?
Here’s a powerful analogy…
Imagine driving with no rules in place. Imagine the stress you would face when it came to 4-way stops or broken traffic lights. You would constantly have to make decisions under pressure.
The same applies to life. Having simple rules in place gives you a sense of direction… including your health.
I learned about this from my mentor and friend Craig Ballantyne…
“People who will realize what’s holding them back is not a lack of knowledge (because the knowledge is out there and freely available), but instead, it is decision making.
Listen, I know that every week you make decisions that leave you full of guilt and remorse, but on the other hand you also make decisions that you know are correct – even though they are difficult to make.
Wouldn’t you be better off if you made MORE correct decisions with less effort?
Of course, and that is where your rules to live by, your personal philosophies, come into play.” – Craig Ballantyne
So this week, I challenge you to come up with your own rules to live by. This simple 15-20 minute task will remove stress from your life and eliminate the need for willpower.
Plus, you’ll be surprised at how much you grow personally…
Here is my updated list of the rules I live by:
1) I will not drink any alcohol or have ANY liquid calories.
2) I won’t drink caffeine after 1pm.
3) I will start every day by writing in my gratitude journal, followed by quiet time and prayer.
4) I will always be open and transparent (for example, admitting my love for pancakes and not being perfect). This removes the pressure from having to be a “perfect” fitness expert.
5) I will tell my wife and children I love them at least once every day.
6) I will strength train a minimum of twice a week while staying active the other days so I can set an example for my kids.
7) I will not curse, HOWEVER, I’m allowed to replace curse words with odd phrases like “son of a biscuit”.
8) I will check my email twice a day (AFTER my writing in the morning and again in the late afternoon).
9) I will get up at 4AM during the week and at 5AM on the weekends. This helps me with my productivity and my sleeping patterns.
10) I will stick with my Carolina Panthers, no matter their record.
11) Before I invest in anything, I ask myself, “Is this going to help me financially, spiritually or improve my health?”.
12) I will only get my reward food the day of my scheduled reward food day or eat it at a restaurant. Otherwise, it is not to be in the house (if it’s in the house before my reward meal, I end up eating it and then feel guilty).
I’ll be the first to admit, sometimes, I slip up and break these. I’m human and you are, too. It happens. Don’t let it get you down.
But having something in place will certainly guide you and put you on the right path.
So go ahead… write your own rules 😉
Mikey Whitfield, Master CTT
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