If you don’t like to run … don’t do it!

​This month I’d like to talk about pleasure … and specifically about how things that are pleasurable are sustainable. 
I heard Jessica Ortner (author of The Tapping Solution to create lasting change) say this on the Hay House Radio.
She said ‘self criticism is not smarter or more self aware, it is misguided self love.’ And although there may be a change in behaviour in the short term, it’s not sustainable long term.  
It really resonated with me. 
I’ve been rock climbing with a friend at an indoor climbing centre in Cowes for 8 weeks. It is always fun, there is lots of variety and it challenges my mind and body. I WANT to go every week. 
If you have ever started a new exercise routine you will get this.
You know that if the exercise you choose is not pleasurable to you in some way, you are less likely to do it. 
Not doing the exercise means you won’t achieve your fitness goals. 
For some reason we think that we need to be in pain, stressed and unhappy to achieve our goals. 
I’ve never see Richard Branson looking unhappy. 
That man only seems to choose projects that are inspiring and fun!
So, choose an exercise that you love, that makes you joyful and that is pleasurable … then you will keep doing it. 
Basically, if you don’t like to run … don’t do it!
Let’s set ourselves up for success and happiness. 
Same is true for your business, personal or relationship goals.
Have a look at your behaviour with some curiosity.
Ask yourself: 
Do I find it fun to go to work?
Do I like the people I spend most of my time with?
Do I feel excited to wake up in the morning?
Do I really enjoy this exercise I’m doing or food I’m eating? 
If your answer is no to these questions, then perhaps it’s time for a refresh and re-jig of your life activities.
Now I get that everything in life will not be completely pleasurable, there are some things that we need to do that might be uncomfortable however, they don’t have to be a stumbling block for us. 
You can do this smarter. 
You can move forward with ease and be resilient. 
Did you know that the average person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day? In 2005, the National Science Foundation published an article that said that of those thoughts, 80% are negative and 95% are exactly the same repetitive thoughts as the day before and about 80% of THOSE are negative. 
It’s no surprise then that the majority of people don’t achieve many of their goals. You are constantly talking yourself out of it. 
If you have tried to make a change in your life and it didn’t work out how you intended, perhaps you could ask yourself: what was it about the change I was making that didn’t feel safe?
You might discover that you were scared of being physically fitter because you might attract unwanted attention from the opposite sex. 
Its time to practice being kinder to yourself. 
Louise Hay used to say ‘I trust life. Life loves me.’
Your job is to just show up … 
Say ‘I’m here! Let’s do this!’ 
Then be willing to take action, even if it doesn’t go as planned.
You are always supported by the Universe.