How You Use Your Tools

I used to be much more substantial than I am now. I wanted to be thinner. I wanted to have the energy and the stamina to go out and do more things. I would go down to the store and pick out exercise tapes and bring them home. They never really worked, and I am not sure why. I used to lay on the couch for hours and watch them, and they never seem to do much good for me. I wonder why?

I know people who buy bug-spray they never use. Their kitchen cabinets overflowing with cleaning supplies, to the point they can’t get the newest purchase into the shelves. Tools that don’t get used and camping gear that just sits idle. And yet, the actual answers are easy. Get up and go do it!

The tools to make your life easier is great. Yet any device by itself is of little use to anyone if not actually used as intended. Does this sound like work? Might we break a sweat? Can I do it in 15 minutes? Yes, yes, and probably not. If you’re going to do something you must get up and go do it. Very little ever happens from the couch or the La-Z-Boy recliner.

It’s great that you have an exercise video. The fact that you purchased cleaning supplies means you know what needs to be done. And camping gear shows motivation. Now you have to make plans and go do it. Cleaning up the house? Try an hour a day. If you don’t have an hour, break it up into two 30-minute sessions. Maybe one at the beginning of the day and one in the evening. Plan a hike. Choose a weekend afternoon or morning, a place to go, and then make sure you do it. Just remember to make it fun.

If you’re going to use exercise tapes, check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to do so, and then try them out. At first, do so in small doses, maybe 30 or 45 minutes at a time. You might even consider making exercise a social venture. Find a gym or group in your area that has exercise programs or dance programs that you might enjoy.

There are many areas you could use these ideas in, not just the ones I’ve mentioned. Tools are great, but things don’t do the job, you do. The exciting thing is, usually the more you do it, the happier you become with the results.

Thank you for being with me today. I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. View all posts by Mike Balof