Have you ever thought about when something big happened in your life and how it happened? I remember getting annoyed with someone many years ago, when I was offered a huge opportunity and a friend said to me, “You are just really lucky.” They didn’t mean it in a bad way, but it irritated me, because I had put so much work and time and effort into getting that opportunity. I snapped back, “Well, I also had to work pretty hard for it, as well.”
Hard work is a great thing and yes, it can lead to opportunities, to advantages, to rewards. But there are a lot of people who work their butt off for something, only to have it never materialize.
I’ve come to believe it’s a mix of luck, such as being in the right place at the right time, and taking action, that actually leads to those life changing moments when something happens that can open up a new world to you.
Taking action leads to opportunity. In all areas of your life.
How does any of this relate to health or fitness?
Well, maybe Nike was onto something with their famous slogan. 😉 You already know you’ll have zero chance of achieving fitness goals unless you actually do something to start working towards them – but you also won’t know what opportunities might present themselves once you start taking action.
Think of these examples –
- The person who starts going to yoga classes to challenge themselves to try something new. That action could lead to a strong, solid practice, potentially taking teacher training, maybe becoming an instructor or opening their own studio.
- Fitness classes, running groups, studios, gyms are packed with people who can become friends, or could be influential in your life.
- Doing what you love when it comes to fitness could lead to an epiphany about what you want to be doing as a career. Truly…it happened to me!
- And of course, the power of exercise for preventing disease and making your life longer, healthier and happier is kind of a big plus, no?
At this time of year in particular, it’s so tempting to make fitness an all-or-nothing project. Try just rephrasing it into taking action. Whether it’s one workout a week, trying something new to you, or just moving more throughout the day, it all counts towards your goals and towards inviting opportunity into your life.
Have you ever had an opportunity that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t taken action?
What’s the best thing fitness has brought to your life?
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Love this post! ACTION and OPPORTUNITY are such inspiring and exciting things. So much can come from putting yourself out there, working hard, and trying new things. A great mindset to own!
Ruthie@She’sWickedHealthy recently posted…Friday Five: The 5 Brutally Honest Reasons People Fail at their Resolutions (And How to Ensure Success!)
Definitely! Putting yourself out there is a really important part of it, too – to be in the right place in the right time, you can’t be stagnant, right?
Hi Carly,
After graduating from college I was looking for jobs in NYC and after several interviews I chose NYH/Cornell.
I met a friend who gave me access to a nearby apt. (no more nurses residence) where I met 2 of my now longtime friends. The position provided me with much experience as a nurse plus a chance to advance administratively. Much of this knowledge was put to use as a visiting nurse in Vermont.
Being in NYC I also took the opportunity to reconnect with a friend I had met while at nursing school (near Marist College). We met, dated and eventually married – Fran’s dad Jim.
Great story! 🙂
Great post! And so true. Many yrs ago I got a job at the gym working the front desk that lead me to start teaching group fitness class and got interested in personal training and got my ACE. If I had never gotten the job at the gym I may have not done any of these things.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Friday 5
It’s so funny to look back on how you ended up doing something, or getting an opportunity, isn’t it? One thing really does lead to another.
Great post, Carly!! You are so right that taking action is the only way to make something happen – fitness or otherwise!!!
Kim recently posted…A Great Start to 2015
Yup and sometimes the first step of actually taking action is the hardest.
Right on lady cake!:-) My husband hates when people talk about being “lucky” in business, although we both agree with what you said about the coupling of action and luck. There have been so many times in my life when I went after something with total ferocity and had a little help along the way. Obviously racing always has a little luck sprinkled in like the weather…
Allie recently posted…4 Things
Luck definitely, definitely has a part to play in every success story in every facet of life. But it’s such a mistake to think that luck is all there is to it. The hard work and training and sacrifices all play a huge role.
That’s funny because I was just telling the story about how my sister started yoga for anxiety, and fell so in love that she’s now a certified teacher. And of hot yoga! (shudder)
My husband always tells me I’m lucky. Yet I work my butt off. It’s a source of tension!
Tamara recently posted…Leaving On a JetBlue Plane..
I know a couple of people for whom the yoga example is true – sometimes just trying something new leads to a passion you never would have known about.
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