You can really change just about anything…
Life is really a series of ongoing adjustments, large and small, and that never changes. One of the very few certainties we can rely on in life is that change is inevitable. The kind of change we experience is, to a surprising extent, up to us.
I remember almost thirty years ago being deeply moved by a quote attributed to Lee Iacocca, the well known figure from Chrysler. I do not recall the exact words, but here is the essence of it as I remember.
- Figure out what you want out of life.
- Discover the price you need to pay for it.
- Then go ahead and pay that price.
That really is the whole truth. The simplicity of it is both humbling and liberating.
When we want something more, or when we are forced to adjust after foolish mistakes, this way of thinking helps us move forward with clarity. Life keeps testing us, and adjustments are required again and again.
Sometimes these adjustments are monumental, like the decision to begin or end a relationship, or to completely redirect the course of our work and purpose.
Other times they are small, almost ordinary, like changing the way we eat or deciding to move our bodies more often.
But in every case, the process is the same. We look honestly at the situation, calculate the cost, and then make the payment willingly if we truly want the result.
I can say with certainty that this approach works, because I have lived it.
Last year I was confronted with sarcopenia, which is the wasting of muscle that comes with age if we are not intentional about resisting it. Faced with this condition, I realized I had to pay the price.
I cut out every food that contributes to inflammation, including added sugar, wheat, and grains. I shifted my meals to focus on clean protein, leafy greens, and modest portions of fruit.
At the same time I committed myself to a routine of muscle building exercise. This is a story I have shared before, but it is worth repeating because of what it illustrates.
Last night my wife and I were watching a British film centered around soccer. In one particular scene the players were preparing in the locker room before a game.
What struck us both was the sight of these young men in their twenties and thirties, all lean and fit, their bodies conditioned for the sport. To our amazement, their physiques were almost identical to mine.
My wife remarked that if my face had been hidden I could have walked into that scene and no one would have noticed the difference between me and them. That is despite the fact that I am seventy two years old.
That moment reminded me again of the real secret to paying the price.
Tony Robbins often speaks about this idea and calls it taking massive action. When you decide to make a change that truly matters, it is not enough to dip your toes in the water or make a half hearted attempt. Massive action is required, the kind that feels as if your very life depends on it. Because in many ways, it does.
So let me ask you ... what do you want to change?
Is it a relationship that has turned unhealthy or unkind? Is it a major shift in your work or your career path? Or is it simply the desire to experience extraordinary fitness and energy, no matter your age or background?
Every one of these is possible. None of them are out of reach.
The method is always the same. First, identify clearly what you want. Second, determine the price you must pay. Third, pay the price without hesitation.
If you are willing to take massive action, you can reshape your life in ways you may never have thought were possible. You can renew your energy, reinvent your future, and bring a sense of freshness to everything you do.
And when you see it working, share this straightforward but powerful plan with your family and friends. They will thank you for showing them a path that is as simple as it is effective.
- Mike Mandel
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