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Watch out for lifestyle creep. As we start earning more, most of the time, we start spending more. Then that becomes our new normal (or baseline spending). We expect to always be able to afford this new and “improved” lifestyle. 

But what if when you earned more, you kept your same lifestyle and saved the difference? You’re already used to living on your existing paycheck, so why not continue to do so and invest the extra income? If you’re able to do this, you will become much wealthier, much more quickly than you expect. 

Buying “things” won’t make you happier. Going on spending sprees gives you a temporary satisfaction, but it is fleeting. Soon you’ll become used to whatever object you purchased and it will no longer give you joy. Why spend extra to try to fill whatever void you feel that is lacking? 

Let’s try a thought exercise for a minute…Remember the first big boy/big girl job you had? I remember when I came out of college and made $35k at my first job. I thought I was rich! It’s funny to think about, but it’s true. And the thing is, I was happy making that much (or little) money. It proved that I can be happy with far less than I make now.

Times and circumstances have changed, but your mindset regarding money and material objects should not. Don’t fall into lifestyle creep. Be content with what you have. Understand the difference between a need and a want. Be smart with your earnings – make sure that you’re always investing some (make that money work for you), giving some to others (tithing/charity), and enjoying some for yourself (spending on experiences with loved ones). Focus on living a great life surrounded by those you love, and who love you, and don’t worry about buying “things.” Because it is not the things that make you happy…happiness comes from within. And if you are able to find it, you will live a great life.

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” – John 12: 42-43

I understand this and struggle with it myself. I believe in a higher power. I struggle with what I don’t understand though and I let others’ opinions influence my thoughts or actions. 

Think to yourself, whose opinions really count? Don’t act in accordance of seeking out praise from others around you. Even if you don’t believe in God, you know deep down what is right and what is wrong. Do what you know in your heart to be right. It may not make you the most popular person, but life is more than a popularity contest. 

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee

When it comes down to it, we are all basically the same. I’m not noticeably different than my neighbor, who isn’t noticeably different than the neighbor across the street. Sure, we may have different strengths and weaknesses. But for the most part, there isn’t an innately massive gap between one person’s skill set and another person’s skill set. How the gap grows is what we choose to focus on. One person may focus on science in a lab setting while the other focuses on becoming a master carpenter. After years of practice and experience, the gaps between one person’s innate skill set and the other person’s developed skill set can be dramatic.
Are you choosing to excel in any areas of life? If so, what are you doing to improve in those areas? Are you studying and applying what you’re learning or do you just go home and mindlessly do nothing all night? Take a moment to reflect on what you’re doing with your life. There is no right or wrong answer here unless you are unhappy with your present situation. If you are, you can’t sit there and expect life to get better. You need to focus on becoming the successful warrior. 

Working out (whether it’s lifting, running, playing sports, hiking, etc.) is a way of life for me, and I feel that it should be for everyone. Not only does it keep your body healthy, but it keeps your mind healthy as well.

People say that getting old sucks, that you ache and your body doesn’t work like it used to. And while that can be true, most of the time it’s true because of your actions (or inactions) over the last 5, 10, or 20+ years.

When you work out regularly, it helps to prevent many chronic diseases. Instead of waiting to get sick and then going to the doctor for a pharmaceutical drug, why not stay in shape and avoid the drugs altogether?

Working out, and pushing yourself to do hard things, also increases your mental capacity. When your training is hard, but you push through it, you prove to yourself that you can do it. When you improve your conditioning, you’ll improve your mindset and won’t be as tempted to give up or take shortcuts. There’s a saying that “pain makes cowards of us all.” With that in mind, if you build your tolerance to pain, you will be more likely to be brave when circumstances call for it.

Lastly, when you work out, you feel more confident about yourself. Whether it is because you are getting stronger, getting faster, becoming more flexible, more agile, or just because you look better (losing weight, gaining more muscle), it can help your mental state.

This is why I feel it is so important to move everyday. You don’t have to always do a workout, but you should move everyday. (And, as a bonus, try to get outside and be in nature while you’re doing it.)

“Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat.” – Ann Landers

Don’t be afraid of hard work. It won’t kill you. But hard work will get you to where you want to be.

In 2017, the average U.S. citizen watched tv for 3 hours, 58 minutes per day. Nearly four hours per day?? And yet the number one excuse for not achieving their goals is not having enough time To work on them. 

“I don’t have time to go to the gym.” I used to hear it all the time as a personal trainer and it was one of my biggest pet peeves. In college, I was a full time student at Ohio State, worked 20 hours for a nursing home as a dietary aide, worked 15 hours as a personal trainer, volunteered 3 days per week to work with the football team, worked out 10x per week for at least 45 minutes per session, and graduated Cum Laude. Why did I work so hard? It’s simple…I didn’t like debt/student loans, so I paid for school as I went. I thought I wanted to be a dietitian with a specialization in sports, so I got experience in the field. I love working out and wanted to share my expertise with others, so I trained others and led by example. Getting good grades was important to me (after all, why go to school if you don’t want to learn?), so I studied and did well in class. 

Life is about what you prioritize. If you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way to make time for it.