What’s your definition of happiness and success? Is it career related, being a great parent and partner? Or making a difference in the world of homelessness, domestic abuse or animals? Is it being healthy and having energy to do the things you want to do? Whatever your definition—where you’re headed takes preparation.
Last week I talked about the ability we have to make a simple choice to be happy. It’s one choice that you can make every day that will change your world. But reaching your destination will take more than just knowing where you want to go. There are things you need to do before you go, and things you need to take along for your trip.
Oh, you hadn’t stopped to think about that yet? Just like a road trip, you’ve got to plan. You’ll need clothing, money for gas, and you may want to have the oil changed and tire pressure checked. Since it’s a long drive you’ll probably want to pack some snacks and water. If you don’t you’ll be left to devices of the convenient store and the signs beckoning you when you’re hungry to stop for their phenomenal fast food.
As you begin your drive you are on the way with the plans you’ve made—or those you’ve left to chance. You’ve been on the road awhile and stop for gas. While you’re at the gas station you pick up some donuts, pretzels, and candy to munch on. Without consciously noticing it (after the initial spike from the sugar) your energy takes a dive and you’re feeling lethargic.
Thinking you just need something to eat, you pull off headed into the bright lights that invite you in for the world’s best pizza. Along with a large size soda and several slices of pizza you head out again. Within an hour you’re getting impatient with the kids, and you were really looking forward to this trip! What happened?
It’s no different in your daily life. In order to operate at your highest level and make the best choices that will keep you on track to find success and happiness, you’ve got to plan your nutritional intake. Left to chance, when you get home at the end of the day after only having coffee and those awesome cookies your co-worker Pam brought in today, you’ll eat whatever isn’t nailed down. And let’s face it, in this position you’re more than likely not going to make great food choices. You’re starving and you’re low blood sugar is in charge!
But if you take time on a weekly basis to plan your meals for the week it can be a very different scene. You plan snacks in advance, pack your lunch the night before, and maintain a balance of healthy whole foods, minus all the sugar. You’re more alert, you make fantastic decisions and you have more energy than you’ve ever had. Things go your way on a daily basis, and you expect them to. Now you’re driving down the road headed to your destination fully prepared to be your best. When you reach your destination much sooner than you expected to you find it’s a beautiful place. So peaceful and calm, full of love, and laughter. You’ve created an incredible life.
