The bigger your why, the higher you’ll climb

Folks: Stop being so harsh on yourself.

I was on a coaching call tonight — and it was all about gratitude. It reminded me simply to be grateful for where I am today — right here, right now.

With two screws in my shoulder, I’m grateful that I can still lift weights.

With nerve damage after back surgery, I’m grateful that I can still walk and run.

With stretch marks, I’m grateful for my amazing boys.

In looking back at previous photos and past workout journals, I’m grateful for just how far I’ve come.

It’s easy to pick ourselves apart and develop a list of what we could still change. But, isn’t it also super important to be grateful and realize our own journey and know that every past surgery, mindset struggle and (negative-dweeb) in our life have brought us to where we are today?

It’s Wednesday — and, most of us have goals we’re trying to achieve this week. I would encourage you to take a moment and reflect on everything that you’ve already accomplished — and, stop being so harsh on yourself. That isn’t productive at all.

Instead focus on your vision — on your goals — of what you want to have happen. I believe you have to see it in your vision before you see it in your life.

Here’s the dealio — when I sat behind a desk all day in the corporate world, I dreamed of a day when my real purpose and passion would collide and I could create the perfect storm. The perfect chance to do what I love and bring about positive change in the lives of others.

It takes time. It takes dedication. It takes perseverance. It takes getting smacked upside the head with a ton of closed doors in your face.

The bigger your “why,” the higher you’ll climb — and, the larger the impact will be.

Natalie Dreger is a certified fitness professional and can be reached at nataliedreger.com.