This morning, I did my usual routine when I read scripture and write in my gratitude journal.
 
It’s a daily ritual. It sets my mind right for the rest of the day.
 
I vividly remember one devotion from Tony Dungy's book, Uncommon Life, about failure and how it really isn't a bad thing. (By the way, I highly recommend that book). 
 
In fact, I remember sharing with one of my private coaching clients with their accountability check-in how I failed miserably at losing the pounds before my final success of dropping 115.
 
Certainly you didn’t think I started and knocked it out of the ball park did you?
 
Ha, no way.
 
I hit plateaus. I got frustrated. In fact, the first day I exercised, I was exhausted after just completing one lousy lap around my old high school track.
 
I even cried. I asked myself, “Is this even worth it? Am I really going to do this?”
 
Because after all, I tried a couple of things in the past that didn’t work for me. I even went on a low carb diet.

I actually lost about 20 pounds in less than 3 weeks…
 
… but I gained it all back PLUS some. 

FAIL.
 
I know there have been times when I could have been a better father, too.
 
I remember one time when Champ (our now teenager) was two and would want me to chase him around the house, yet I found myself on the laptop.
 
Fortunately, from that failure, I’ve learned to separate work and family.
 
See, “failure” is what makes us better. Failure tells us what’s NOT working so we can try something else.
 
Thomas Edison made many attempts at inventing a working lightbulb with setback after setback.
 
Yet, he was confident he hadn’t failed even once. He simply found ten thousand ways not to make a lightbulb.
 
So, no matter what your goal might be… losing love handles, dropping a dress size, getting into your favorite jeans, doing your first 5K etc., etc...
 
You’re going to FAIL. I know I did. That’s the cold, harsh truth.
 
Did you try intermittent fasting and it wasn’t your thing? Don’t be frustrated. You found one more way that isn’t right for you.
 
This is where people give up because of pitiful excuses such as, "Well, summer's here anyway" or "I'm too old." Too many people are throwing in the towel.
 
They soon realized that it takes more than a magical supplement, tea, or herb to reach a goal.
 
As soon as their “hands got a little dirty” or goodness... actually sweat a little, and the results weren’t coming fast enough, they gave up.
 
Little did they know just around the corner was success. They are right there at the edge of ultimate success. If only they just pushed a little further…
 
… but they don’t. They see failure and give up on themselves.
 
So, no matter what you’re struggling with, keep at it. Keep going. Keep finding ways that DON’T work until you find “it”.
 
There is no perfect solution for everyone. But there is something perfect for YOU.
 
You are on the brink of success. I promise you. Trust me, I’ve been there...
 
Have an incredible weekend,
Mikey
 
PS - I wish you a safe Memorial Day. I'd also like to share this quote...
 
“On this day, take time to remember those who have fallen. But on every day after, do more; put the freedoms they died for to greater and nobler uses.” 
– Richelle E. Goodrich
 
PPS - Do you like the idea of a fast start to your success? I put together a new 21-day plan for my coaching clients and I recently opened it up to the public. My clients got nearly 4X faster results than anything else they tried. Here's how it works.