Don’t deny good sense!
“…we are young, and we have been distressed; but our concord hath withstood our troubles, and fixes a memorable area for posterity to glory in.”
On this day in 1776, Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense that bolstered the American Revolution with rich wisdom. Though he was talking about our nation, his words are timeless when looking at all that is new today.
Your New Year’s Resolutions are new and young, and they will be tested (most ardently by you, but also by friends and family, work and the world in which we live). The gift of Paine’s words here is to remember that every win counts – you can and will withstand your troubles. And as you do so, every step in the right direction is irreversible and unalterable. Mark each healthy accomplishment down (no matter the size) as part of posterity, celebrate and go forward with greater resolve.
Your history is yours forevermore. When you think about skipping that daily walk or that workout, or that time to be active, stop and reflect. What do you want your history to look like? You have the ability to build a whole new world each and every day. Grab hold and enjoy a history in which you stick to your resolve.
Here’s a great exercise from Olga to get you out of your chair – a quick small win to add to your history book: 
Sumo squat and overhead press…
- You can use a dumbbell, medicine ball, bag of sugar or potatoes, etc.
- When squatting, keep your knees over your ankles.
- Keep your head up and your back straight (stomach tight).
- Touch the weight to the floor but don’t lean on it.
- Come up, pushing from your heels, and press the weight over your head.
- Slowly lower the weight back toward the floor and begin to squat again. Repeat for 1-2 minutes.
For You in Your Workplace:
Consider posting a “small wins” bulletin board. Let people put up photos or brief stories of the benchmarks they’ve made so far. You could have people paste their wins in a blank journal that lives on a table in a common area. It’s your co-worker winning history book! Another strategy is to print out “You Did It” cards and allow people to come to you for one when they want to give it to someone who they feel had a small win in spite of difficult circumstances or challenges.
Tell us about your winning history along the way! Share your photos and stories on Facebook or here.
See you on the PATH Ahead.