Have you ever experienced a situation where you “knew what you wanted,” but when asked point blank, “What do you want?” you couldn’t find the answer? Couldn’t even list a single thing?

How ’bout “knowing what you believe,” but when asked directly, “What do you believe?” you stared blankly into space. . . not even the smallest response to be found?

This happened to me (again) two days ago, when fellow fitness professional Dax Moy wrote his beliefs down. . . and then challenged me to write my own.

Here it goes. . .

Things I Believe. . .

I believe that my role as a strength coach is to change the lives of my clients — to effect change and leave a positive influence with them every hour of the day beyond the hour they’re with me. Yes, there’s a partnership component to our relationship, but it all starts with me.

I believe that there is too much focus on the “technical” aspects of training – program design, movements to use, equipment to use, etc. “But isn’t the “technical stuff” important?” Absolutely. But for those missing the drive and other “unspoken” qualities that push them to apply what they’ve learned, all the technical knowledge they have won’t make much of a difference.

I believe that if “holistic health” isn’t the foundation of our fitness, we’re selling ourselves short.

I believe the children are our future and, to give them the best shot at surviving and thriving, I (we) need to help get quality health, fitness and nutrition information to them. . . NOW.

I believe that, as a whole, practitioners in the health and fitness genres need to do a better job of working together. We need to check our egos at the door, realize we’re all a part of the same team and come together to help people live healthier, fitter, functional lives. “Helping people” works best when efforts are collaborative, not uncooperative; synergistic, not antagonistic.

I believe in Dax’s beliefs 100%. In fact, if his post hadn’t been the first one written, I’d like to think that I would’ve written the same beliefs in the same words (although, being 3rd generation US born, my use of ‘Ye Olde English’ would’ve been lacking. . . )

I believe that education and the pursuit of excellence is extremely important, whether it comes from the halls of Harvard or the School of Hard Knocks. Formal education is great – and really important in our society – but it’s overrated. Sure, it exposes us to a wealth of information, gives us titles, opens doors of opportunity, and helps us land jobs. But it sure doesn’t guarantee success or happiness like passion and purpose does.

I believe that a large majority of the world’s population needs a serious smack upside the head — a genuine call to WAKE UP! We’re increasingly in our head, not in our hearts. More isolated, less sociable. Over-thinking, not “letting the soul flow.” Unconscious…. Not aware.

I believe our intelligence and ability to reason is going to get us into trouble if we’re not careful. Sometimes it’d be better to relinquish control and simply “let nature take its course”. . . nature has done just fine on its own without our interventions and attempts to “improve” it.

I believe “too much of a good thing” applies to everything except AWARENESS. The more conscious we are, the more in tune we are to realizing our passions and living our purpose.

I believe that my greatest responsibility right now is to “be there” for my daughter (and future children) whenever she needs me, in whatever capacity she needs me. . . no matter how my role as “father” in her life evolves as she grows.

I believe that the world would be a much better place if more parents felt the same way about about raising children.

I believe that less is more. . . and that whether I “give less” or “give more” I should always be “giving excellence.”

I believe that you might find inspiration from a few other “I Believe” posts from around the world: Jonas Forsberg, Dale K, and Rommel Acda.

I believe that I’ve forgotten more things that “I believe” than I remember.

I believe this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

______________________

NOW, I challenge you to do this same thing!

Write down YOUR beliefs so that they become a clear, physical reality and not just passing thoughts in your mind.

Write down YOUR beliefs to help clarify the path that is your life’s journey (thus increasing your chances for success).

Write down YOUR beliefs to give others a chance to connect with you. . . and bring the world together one person at a time.

(And share them with me — I’d love to read them!)