The Hard Way(s)
If there is one thing that life has continued to teach me over and over again it is that there are two versions of “the hard way”.
Hard way #1 “I want it that way.”
The best way to describe this way of doing things is kind of like teenage rebellion. It is the “act now and ask for forgiveness later” mentality. It is when a person lets their emotions drive their “life car” and then they become a victim of their decisions. This way is sometimes seemingly easy but either does not get us what we want OR comes too high of a cost or consequence. As it relates to health, hard way #1 would be the equivalent of chasing the fad diet, the number on the scale, a specific clothing size, extreme restriction, eating disorders AND disordered eating.
Hard way #2 “I really DON’T want to do it THIS way”
The best way to describe this way of doing things is kind of like when a person is trying to decide whether or not they are about to tell a lie. They know that telling the truth is the RIGHT thing to do but it's hard. As it relates to health, hard way #2 would be the equivalent of a person getting themselves to the gym even when they don’t want to go, choosing a home cooked meal vs. fast food, examining emotional eating habits, and intentionally uncovering why feelings of self hate and disgust are in the heart.
Both ways are difficult, but the end results are completely different. On the one hand the end result is a roll of the dice and on the other a person has the ability to choose their desired outcome. We have to admit that it feels better to tell the truth and have a clear conscience than to lie to someone and carry the burden of the lie. We also have to admit that jumping from one diet to the next and never truly dealing with the problem is exhausting. We want REAL health but sometimes the actions and the decisions that we have to make in order to get there are undeniably hard.
In a generation of instant gratification we are literally conditioning ourselves to always seek the quick and easy way.
When I am working with my clients I let them know early on that we do things in “Hard way #2” fashion, and it comes with its own set of challenges. There are alot of things that we have to “unlearn” together. The reactions that I have received from a client or potential client to me recommending that they eat more food break my heart. I once had someone say “How does your business even work if you're telling people to eat food?”
It is time to renew our minds and embrace the truth -The number of times that a person has to start over is a direct result of a band aid solution to a DEEP bleeding cut. Quick fixes and extremisms are not the answer and haste leads to waste. Doing things in this way will not produce results and that is a hard truth to accept...but a wise man once said “The truth will set you free.”
I will fearlessly coach the truth, even if it is hard. I know that the way I coach my clients will not be easy but will produce results that LAST. The skills that my clients learn will empower and equip them to change their lives, environment, and the way that they care for themselves. However, my most favorite part is knowing that they will go on to change the lives of their families, coworkers, friends, and anyone that they interact with.
I will choose my end result because I am fighting for something greater than instant and gone in a flash. I am trying to give my people something that LASTS.
xo,
Jess
