Thinking on a Continuum

In life, we often find ourselves chasing the elusive idea of "perfection." But what if I told you that instead of striving for perfection, you should aim for "better"?

Let's take a lesson from the great outdoors.

Outdoor Survival Tip: When you're running from a bear, you don't need to be the fastest runner in the group. You just need to be faster than the slowest person.

The same principle applies to our health and well-being. Instead of aiming for the "perfect" diet or the "perfect" exercise routine, strive to be a little bit better, consistently.

The 0% Game

Some parents, when looking at their child's 90% score on a test, might ask, "What happened to the other 10%?" This mindset starts from a place of perfection and works backward, always focusing on what's missing. It's the classic "glass half-empty" perspective.

But what if we flipped this viewpoint?

1. Start from 0%. Imagine the absolute worst-case scenario.
   • 0% fitness? Picture yourself in a full-body cast, lying in a hospital bed for a year.
   • 0% nutrition? Imagine eating non-food items like old newspapers or rat poison.
   • 0% health? Well, that's being dead.
2. Then add. Reflect on your current situation.
   • How does your fitness level compare to the body cast scenario?
   • If the worst diet is eating non-food items, how much healthier are your eating habits?
   • Even if you're feeling under the weather today if 0% health is being dead, you're still doing pretty well, right?
3. What's the next step? What small action can you take today to move you a little bit forward?

Progress, Not Perfection

Consider your options:

Option 1: Go all out for a week, aiming for 100% perfection, only to burn out and give up. The result? No real change and you're left feeling defeated.

Option 2: Aim to be 1% better every day for a year. The outcome? A significant transformation and a sense of accomplishment.

The key is to focus on making small, consistent progress rather than chasing perfection. Start from 0%, recognize your achievements, and give yourself credit for being "good enough for now." Remember, it's about staying one step ahead of that bear.

Start Now

The "perfect" moment will never come.
Instead of waiting, take action now.
Even a 5-minute activity can set you on the right path.
By doing so, you're already 1% better.

Keep It Real

Start where you are.
Use the resources you have.
Do what you can. It's that simple.

Reflection Time:

In terms of health, fitness, and/or nutrition, what's your 0%?
Visualize the absolute worst-case scenario.

Now, think about where you are today. If you had to assign a percentage to it, how much better than 0% are your current habits?

Jot down a number between 1 and 100. This is your starting point.

From here, every step you take is a step towards "better."

Life isn't about being the fastest runner; it's about staying ahead of the bear. So, let's focus on progress, not perfection, and thrive together.

Remember, it's not about outrunning the bear; it's about outrunning your past self. 🐻💨