Keith JonesJanuary 19, 2016

Motivational speaker Les Brown has a saying that “if you do what’s easy, your life will be hard. However, if you do what’s hard, your life will be easy.” This is so true. I have found that when I take the easy road of procrastination, avoidance or ignoring, the challenge only gets bigger. But when I take initiative and practice consistency, life is always easier in the long run.

When I experienced a financial hardship in 2003, I procrastinated on cutting expenses like the cable bill and a car payment. As a result, I suffered longer than I should have financially. If I’d applied Les Brown’s philosophy, I would have cut all unnecessary expenses and sold my car. It would have been painful in the beginning but financial stability would have returned sooner. Some people  don’t exercise or eat healthy with consistency. By ignoring their health, they gain weight and experience health issues that might otherwise be avoided. It’s hard to get up and workout. Putting it off until tomorrow is much easier. Inconsistency will cost you in the long run.

I have found that if I want life to be easy down the road, I have to be disciplined today and do the hard things. This includes saving money for the future, exercising, eating nutritionally every day and doing work projects that I don’t always feel like doing.  This shift in mindset and behavior requires sacrifice and discipline but ensures financial security and optimal health in the future.  I will be healthy, happy and have lived into my stronger being.  It’s that simple.

Pick three things in your life that are hard to do but require your immediate attention for you to live your best life. Make a personal commitment to a radical change in behavior to take these areas on. If you do, you’ll reach your goals sooner and life will be easier and sweeter.

Keith