In N’ Out
Legend has it that when In N’Out was searching for a name for its new chain of restaurant they became incredibly introspective and spent hours meditating on the types of people they wanted to attract. During a planning meeting, one founder spoke up and said, “We want people to see us as a place that brings out the happiness in each person, so why not In N’ Out?”: “We start with what’s on the inside and bring that out.” Everyone nodded in agreement. That story is completely false, but it does make you feel good and highlight my point about how personal change first starts from the inside and works its way outward. Rumi said, “Yesterday I was smart, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am turning myself. The following is a meditation on being proactive and what it takes to put excuses aside and make the right choice for your health and wellness.
Hot Sauce in my bag
I know a girl that use to always complain about how restaurants never carried her favorite brand of hot sauce. To teach my friend to be more proactive rather than reactive I suggested she bring her hot sauce with her wherever she went. And she did. That girl was Beyonce. While that story may only be partly true, the general message is authentic and sticks with the tall tale motif. More importantly, it highlights how proactive people don’t wait for perfect conditions or someone else to fix a problem. Stephen Covey, Author of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” says “Proactive people bring their sunshine. When it comes to nutrition, it can be so easy to widen the circle of concern or place blame elsewhere. It’s the government’s fault for putting GMO’s in everything; restaurants need to decrease their portions, McDonald’s should make Bigmac’s less delicious. Language is a huge part of being proactive. Change your style from they should do this, to I will and watch as your circle of influence, or things you can control widens and a sense fo control returns to your life. Bring your own sunshine.
Something to Chew on
In short, we have a lot more control over certain aspects of our lives than we are willing to give ourselves to believe. Cooking for multiple people is often cited as a challenge to healthy eating. I like to remind clients that its also a choice. It’s a choice my clients often make because the consequence of appeasing is more urgent than effects of eating poorly. As long as we keep in mind that every decision we make is a paradigm of choices and consequences the more control we can return to our lives and begin making the right decisions for us.
To Your Continued Success,
Coach Don
