Join 45,000+ other readers of Human who are focused on building a healthier, happier life. From fitness, diet, and lifestyle to an inside look at Cardiovascular Surgery, my goal is to optimize your life for a better tomorrow.
The Power of Why
The Power of WhySeptember 24th, 2024 Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own. We are on this constant mission of self-improvement. That's one of the reasons I'm sure you signed up for the newsletter and then decided to surround yourself with others looking to do the same. We tell ourselves to eat healthier, exercise more often, and explore improvement methods. My question to you is: Why? Why do you willingly struggle or sacrifice your present moment for a better tomorrow? Is the sacrifice worth it? Understanding your "why" behind the goals you are chasing will make them inevitable. The Reason You are Abandoning Your Goals“We don’t need to be taught; we need to be reminded.”
- C.S. Lewis
You know what to do. Even if you don't know every detail, it's common knowledge that eating healthy, regular exercise, positive social interactions, and sleep are paramount. The concepts are simple. The execution is challenging. Why do many of us start diets and workout regimes, join groups, go to bed early, and then stop? Despite knowing it's in our best interest. The results and progress from today's actions may seem insignificant, but the long-term "why" is necessary to keep you afloat. If you throw the towel in, potentially, your connection with your purpose isn't well grounded. Is your 'why' authentic or only superficial? The Fallacy of Superficial MotivationsUsing external goals to solve internal problems - conditional happiness. We are all guilty of this - it's human nature. Promising ourselves that "once we look a certain way, once we get a certain physical trophy, etc.. then we will be happy." Superficial motivators are valuable but only valid for the short term and are usually based on shallow reasoning. These goals typically arise from selfish interests. Your foundation for pursuing something must be deeply rooted in your identity to avoid superficial motivators. Extreme HypotheticalLet's explore a rather extreme hypothetical situation to drive this idea home: You go to the doctor, and they tell you that you are deathly allergic to alcohol. With one drop of alcohol, your body immediately shuts down. You would avoid alcohol at all costs. You want to avoid a negative consequence. Now, when you are met with temptation at social gatherings, celebrations, and client dinners, and alcohol is offered to you - under no circumstances will you cave because you know the result. Your internal "why" is so clearly defined that no external factor can sway you. Define Your WhyNow, I'm not suggesting your why has to be that extreme. However, you'll need to be confident in your why since you are the only person who can control and protect it. Why do you sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain? Is it to extend your lifespan and improve your healthspan? Spend time with your grandchildren? Every individual will have their own unique answers. Audit why you choose to live the life you currently live. Then ask yourself, "Am I confident on this path?" Approach this with intellectual honesty, double down on the positives, and make necessary adjustments where needed. We don’t become the person we want to be; we become the person we can tolerate being.” All the best, Jeremy London, MD |
Jeremy London, M.D.
Join 45,000+ other readers of Human who are focused on building a healthier, happier life. From fitness, diet, and lifestyle to an inside look at Cardiovascular Surgery, my goal is to optimize your life for a better tomorrow.