The next time you have a problem, put it through this flowchart.
Simple. Honest. Effective.
You can save the flowchart, print it off, tape it to your mirror, put it in your journal, glue it to your forehead … whatever. Whenever you face a situation, run it through the flowchart. Let’s put this chart to use, shall we? Here are some of my recent examples put through it (try not to laugh at some of my “problems”).
Example 1. My problem: I wish the dogs and cats at our local shelter could have a chance at a better life.
This problem/situation I’m dealing with: can I influence the outcome?
You bet your puppy-lovin’ butt I can! (Great! Now, shut-up and do something productive, as indicated by the nifty flowchart above.) My “something productive” was donating 10% of the recent Workout of the Month to my local humane society.
Example 2. My problem: It’s hotter than two squirrels making love in a wool sock outside, and I’m miserable.
This problem/situation I’m dealing with: can I influence the outcome?
Nope. I can’t do a damn thing. (The answer according to the flowchart: well then, shut-up and move on.) Got it. I’m determined to melt quietly this summer because complaining does nothing other than annoy those who hear me gripe.
Example 3. My problem: After owning a house for over three years, I realized I didn’t like owning a three bedroom two bathroom home. It felt like too much for just the two of us, plus I loathe maintenance.
This problem/situation I’m dealing with: can I influence the outcome?
Hell yes, and I did (i.e., shut-up and do something productive). Though it was a pain at times (I’m never having another garage sale; that was a nightmare. “Oh you want $2 for this? Well I’ll only give you $0.75 and I want you to gift wrap it”) we downsized and moved into a wonderful one bedroom town-home. I shut my mouth, did something about the situation, and now I’m much happier.
Example 4. This one is more of a complaint: some people are ass-bags.
This problem/situation I’m dealing with: can I influence the outcome?
This one is tricky; yes and no. (Either way, shut-up seems to be part of the solution, according to the chart; do what you can and move on.) You can’t change people, but you can be the best version of yourself, and this can have a positive influence on those around you (who knows, you may inspire the ass-bags in your life to decrease their ass-bagginess). The solution: be the best version of yourself, follow The Number One Rule to Not Suck at Life (i.e., don’t be an asshole), hope you inspire others, and don’t worry about those you can’t change.
I have dozens more examples, but hopefully you get the gist.
Now it’s your turn. The next you find yourself in a tangled mess or just griping about random events in your life, use the flowchart above. Here’s one recommendation: begin with the simplest solution. Oftentimes we’d be better off choosing a simple, quality action rather than a complicated course of action filled with unnecessary filler and fluff.
Want a few common examples? Weight loss, strength training, and nutrition come to mind. Most people have been convinced through the surplus of available information (and advertising) that they must follow a complicated, complex regimen to achieve results. However, it’s been my experience as a coach that keeping things as simple as possible produces the greatest results. (Check out 5 Health and Fitness Principles That Don’t Suck to get started.)
So if you’re not satisfied with your current eating habits or fitness level, run that problem through the flowchart. Spoiler alert: yes, you can do something and the solution is to do something productive. For that “something productive” begin with a simple, high quality solution; your rate of success will increase drastically.
How will you know if you’re choosing a simple, high quality solution? Easy. What is the one thing you must do that will achieve the majority of the results? Then get to work.
Thank you for reading!
Keep being YOU. Keep being awesome.
-Nia
PS. Next week you'll receive an announcement concerned future Workouts of the Month. Things are going to change a bit based on your feedback; I really think you're going to enjoy it.