Everything in Moderation… Including Moderation and Doing Hard Things
YO! Bonjour from Florence! Kara and I are about halfway through our Italy trip, celebrating her 50th birthday. It’s been an amazing trip so far, filled with beautiful scenic views, unbelievable art, historical tours, and OMG THE FOOD!
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Everything in moderation, including moderation”. I love this mindset so much, especially when I’m experiencing a special event or circumstance.
Those of you who know about my journey know that I am a fairly disciplined person when it comes to most things, eating and exercise being a few. Due to that discipline, I have had some thoughts (albeit not too many) about maintaining some eating restrictions and balance while on vacation. After briefly considering this strategy (another classic conversation with myself), I decided it was a horrible idea and abandoned it quickly.
Why? There are two main reasons.
- First, how can I possibly be present in the moment and not enjoy some of the best cuisine that Italy, and frankly, the world has to offer? Am I gluttonous? NO. Am I really enjoying everything this beautiful country has to offer? You bet your ass!
- Second, and probably more importantly, I do not doubt that when we return home, I will get “right back on that wagon” and return to the disciplined lifestyle I’m so used to maintaining. I know this to be true because I’ve done it before. I have a track record of taking on and accomplishing hard things. I have checked that box many times, or as James Clear in Atomic Habits likes to say, “I cast a vote for the person I’m trying to become.”
DO HARD THINGS
Many times, coaching clients, my work team, and even some extended family members ask me, “Why are you doing that?” They are referencing some type of hard thing I am going through or working towards. It could be a 3-day fast, opening up another office, a bodybuilding show, starting a new business, a powerlifting meet, a 10-mile ruck with a 50-pound load, or dealing with an impossible patient—just something hard.
The main reason I do it is that it’s hard, and when I do hard things, I continually prove to myself that I can take on hard things. I don’t just think about it or talk about it; I actually do it.
I promise you I’m not trying to brag or show my ego. I’m sharing this because it is a proven strategy that you can incorporate into your own life. Perhaps instead of just thinking about it or talking about it, this could be the message you need to read to start doing it.
You will slowly but surely build confidence in yourself and be so much more willing and able to do harder things.
When I return from vacation next week, a few pounds heavier due to really enjoying this birthday celebration trip and everything that’s involved with it, I will already have the mindset that I can easily get back to my fitness baseline because I have an extensive track record of doing hard things. It won’t be a matter of IF I can do it, it will be a matter of WHEN I do it.
If you struggle with the mental blockage of doing and taking on hard things, I would encourage you to start small. Do something to get out of your comfort zone. Something that stretches you. Once you take it on and finish it, you will have “cast a vote” as someone who can DO HARD THINGS. After that, you open up an entire world of possibilities and opportunities. What could this be? It entirely depends on where you are in your journey.
- Maybe a water-only fast till noon
- Maybe that difficult but honest conversation with a team member
- Maybe running a mile
- Maybe really pouring into your associates
- Maybe writing a book
- Maybe forgiving a family member you have lost contact with
Just start to do something hard. Stretch yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and cast a vote as someone who can take on and accomplish hard things
With tons of agape love,
Jason
