Priorities

As a Health & Fitness Consultant it is my job to promote a healthy lifestyle, fitness, a better way of life. I show people how to incorporate fitness, cleaner eating and personal growth into their daily lives which teaches them how they can live a happier, more fulfilling life. I love teaching this to others. I've learned so much about myself along the way.

Today is Black Friday. There are tons of people all over the U.S. swarming the retail world for all the 'great deals' on tv's, gadgets and well...in my opinion...JUNK! Useless crap that no one NEEDS. What has become of people's priorities? They can spend hundreds of dollars on JUNK, yet they claim they can't afford to eat nutritious food or afford a fitness program that actually costs LESS than the crap they're standing in line for or camping out for days to buy. What is WRONG with this picture?

People have become so distorted in how they view their priorities. THINGS have become more important to them then their health or the health of their family. It's really a shame and very heart breaking.

If only they would see that if they would invest their money wisely...so many more rewarding things would happen for them. I do my best to show them, lead by example. Sometimes I don't feel like I do enough. But I am only one person and I do what I can. It's up to them to make the changes. To decide to make better choices. If they don't, that's not my fault...it's on them when they don't feel well or end up in the doctors office for an illness or disease that could have been prevented.

I pray for these people. I pray for them to change their priorities and choose HEALTH over JUNK!

The Compound Effect

A few weeks ago a friend commented on a Facebook status I wrote, that said 'Where did Amy Leever go?' You see, in the last 3 years, I've done a lot of changing. The most changes have happened over the course of this last year. I've been doing a lot of Personal Growth and learning about myself.

I've been reading a lot. Books like "First Steps to Wealth" by Dani Johnson, 'Money Makeover' by Dave Ramsey, 'The Slight Edge' by Jeff Olson and most recently I started reading 'The Compound Effect' by Darren Hardy. These books have given me some really interesting insight to my life.

I know, I know -- these 'self-help books are a bunch of hogwash', 'these things are a scam. They only want your money', 'these so called 'experts' don't understand my situation', etc. I have had the same exact attitude once. But that's the point! The only way to change your life is to change your thinking. Step outside what you've been taught to believe in and try something new. Open your mind and grow up!

My daily choices have gotten me where I am today...If I gain some weight it's because of my daily choices, if I am tired and cranky, it's because of my daily choices. If I am out of money and can't pay my bills, it's because of my choices...see where I am going?

What I'm learning is this: I am the only one responsible for how things are in my life. I am responsible for how I act, how I feel and how I think. No one else is to blame. It's the same lesson I've been reading in 'The Compound Effect'...

"No Man's Land"...

This is described as the place where you aren't really unhappy, but you aren't really happy. It's the place where we numb ourselves to our dreams, wants and desires to fit into the time, energy and money we currently make or have.

Complacency is what it's called and something we should all fight against. Fear of being uncomfortable has gotten us a life full unmet dreams, expectations and never reaching our potential. Sometimes it happens so subtly we don't really notice until years later, but all the small, seeming insignificant decisions we made each day over the years have gotten us to the point where we are now.

Our choices, behaviors and habits will determine our future and are an accumulation of our life as we know it now. The good news is that we can always start making better choices, create better habits that create different behaviors and the beauty is, it does not have to be one big change...small steps will make a HUGE difference in the long-run.

The Compound Effect is always in motion, positive or negative - we are either Moving Forward or Sliding back.

THERE IS NO STANDING STILL
(Thank you Darren Hardy! - The Compound Effect)

Isn't that eye-opening? When I read that, my heart skipped a beat and it really had me thinking about all the choices I've made throughout my life. And I started thinking wow...so all this time I thought it was the governments fault I've always been poor. It's the way life is, and I'll never expect anything different because I was born to a life of hardship and poverty. When all along it's been ME. My choices that got me where I am.

When I weighed in at 220 pounds, lost, broken, sick, in pain, depressed, miserable and ready to end it all permanently...it was all because of my BAD choices that put me there.

My bad choices with finances and not having a solid plan in place has left us in debt and always struggling to make ends meet. We are always living hand to mouth because we've made poor choices with our money. We've let money enslave us, rather than making our money work for us.

When I decided to take control and fix all that. My choice to change helped me lose 50 pounds, change my body, change my life and change my mind. It had nothing to do with the economy, the government or someone else's choices -- it was all on me!

The economy still sucks. The government still can't figure out what it's doing. But me...I'm happy, healthy and building a business. I'm prospering. I'm successful. I'm learning new things and making new friends. That's all on me too!

My choices, my behavior and habits have determined my future. The small, insignificant decisions I make each day are accumulating. And one day they will all snowball into the vision and dreams I have set for myself and for my family.

The more I learn, the better I can put the lessons towards getting out of debt and make a better life. I will live like no one else, so then later I can live like no one else. That's all a mixture of the Personal Growth I've been going through. So 'what happened to Amy Leever?' -- I've changed my way of thinking, so I can change the way I live. I've stopped blaming other people and circumstances and have taken responsibility, put it where it belongs; on me.

I am the ruler of my own destiny!

Goals for May 2012

Something I try to do at the beginning of each month, just never thought to put it out there for the world to see. This time, I figure there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of people seeing this eventually so why not use that as my accountability. The list is just 10 of the goals for the month of May. I have other smaller, more focused goals, but those are just for me to see. 

I'm wondering how many out there write down their goals and do what they need to do each day to accomplish those goals? - If you are one of those people, comment below, I'd like to hear from you.

Insightful Inspiration

No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.
- Barbara De Angelis

Self-disciplined begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.
- Napoleon Hill

If we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
- Anthony Robbins

Regrets are the tears of choices not made and of good deeds left undone.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I read those quotes and thank the good Lord I made the choices I've made in the last 2-3 years. Rock bottom was a nasty place to be and if I hadn't have taken control of my own happiness, only He knows where I'd be.

I truly wish I could express enough how important it is to take a step outside the comfort zone and just take a leap of Faith. I come across so many who want a quick fix. Who can't just say: 'Why the heck not, it's only money!' They let fear hold them back from experiencing something that would change their life immensely.

I understand, I did it too. Until I had nothing left. Until I was so broken and lost, it was either death or do something different. So I leaped into the great unknown - then my Wings of Faith took over. Three years later, I'm slimmer, happier, healthier and the things I've always wanted are falling into place. No it's not easy. No it's not happening over night. It's consistency and self-discipline. It's making tiny, insignificant choices, daily that compound over time into something bigger and more meaningful. It's doing the things that many people won't do. The things that won't hurt if I don't do them, but if I do them, those things will get me one step closer to my goals. I go against the norm. I find ways to step outside the comfort zone. I'm not always perfect. I'm not always sure. But I keep doing them anyway.

I am the master of my own happiness. I am the only one who can control my actions and reactions. I don't say 'I can't' anymore, I say 'I will find a way'. I won't let a lack of money control my choices; it is just money - it comes, it goes. Why let it control you? Find a way around it. Get creative. Think outside the comfort zone. YOU have the power. YOU have the control.

That's my secret. That's how I do it. That's how I lost 50 pounds and have kept it off. That's how I've re-built my life from rock bottom - up. That's how I've become my own boss. That's how I'm creating my own destiny. I have the Will. I have the Faith. I have the Power. I have the Control - One choice, one step, one goal, one day at a time.

Will you take the leap of Faith and join me?