The precursor to outcomes and actions is your Mindset.

MINDSET {noun}: a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook and mental attitude.

• I’ve been reading a lot about mindset lately and how the choices we make can drastically change our outcomes when it comes to our nutrition, fitness, overall outlook, as well as personal & professional growth.

• We can either choose to play the victim, where we are stuck in a world that happens to us. Or we can make the choice where we are coming from a place of empowerment, and can choose to TAKE ACTION to change our circumstances.

• For me personally, I feel it takes time, patience and practice to switch your mindset because it’s much easier to give in to what is happening to us, where we may feel like taking action is impossible.

• For instance, say it’s a rainy Monday morning and you get a flat tire on your way into work. Once you safely pull off the road, you’re immediately stressed and probably blurting out a handful of obscenities. You collect yourself to call or email your manager to let him/her know you’ll be late arriving to work, then call AAA and wait. Or maybe you’re equipped with a poncho and umbrella, and proceed with changing the tire yourself – more power to ya! A victim mindset in this scenario would be to allow this to ruin your entire day and declare “crap like this happens to me all the time.” On the flip side, you’re safe, you won’t lose your job for being late to the office and help is on the way to have it fixed! It’s not the way you planned to start your day; however, why slash your other three tires just because you got a flat?

• Likewise, cheating on your nutrition and fitness plan doesn’t make you a failure, or allow you to claim victim to a healthy lifestyle that’s “just not meant for you”. The fact that you can hold yourself accountable, pick back up and move forward shows your empowerment, which ultimately leads to your own happiness and success.

• “The precursor to outcomes and actions is your mindset. Choose wisely.”