Easier NOT To Do

A long time ago, a coach took me and a team of people through a values, vision, and mission exercise. She provided us with a deck of cards from John Maxwell. There were 39 cards, with one value and definition on each.

She challenged us to read through the cards and cut out half as we worked toward our values. Then she told us to cut half again. We ended with the top 3. This was over 25 years ago. I still have these values, though I added one recently.

Weeks ago, my wife and I were having a great conversation at the fire pit. We were talking about how most people don’t honor the big rocks in their lives, at least not consistently. They want to. They know they need to. But ultimately most don’t. Why?

What are the big rocks? How do you know what they are for you?

Reading a little-known book by author, speaker, and trainer Todd Duncan, called The Power to Be Your Best, I made a life-changing shift to big rock focus. I defined mine, vetted each through my values, built a life plan with key actions and growth around the big rocks. Everything I do bleeds down through this plan.

Game changer.

When I ask people about their big rocks, the most common answers seem to be around family, marriage, finance, health, career, spirit/faith, community. What they are is up to you.

They are highly important in the game of life yet pushed to the back each day. Why? Because life constantly challenges us to take on the immediate, the urgent, the now. And we keep accepting the challenge.

The workout…well, I’m super busy right now. I’ll get back to it. We know that date night is really important. We know it. Did we do it? No, but, heck, we’re busy. We’re tired. The kids…

We know the truth. These things matter. Right now.

Why is something so easy and important so hard to do? Actually, date night doesn’t have to be hard. Just spend dedicated time together – at home. Clear a space. Have a glass of wine. We prefer good beer. Connect. Nothing painful there.

Exercise? It’s not hard unless you make it that way. Too dark out? Too hot out? No time? 7 minutes of calisthenics holds the spot. You can build on it later when it’s a habit. Be patient and purposeful. There are no real excuses. Just misses. And misses accumulate.

What’s the benefit of a consistent date night? Likely a better, much more fulfilling marriage.

What’s the benefit of consistent exercise? Likely a longer, better quality of life.

But we know this.

Why, why, why don’t we do it?

Because as easy as it is, it’s even easier NOT to do.

Why do we answer the phone? It rings.

Big rocks don’t ring.

They explode.