Reflections on Change, Habit, and Leadership
Building Habits and Celebrating Milestones
What a week it has been. I managed to get another four days in a row at CrossFit, reaching a total of 16 check-ins for the month without a relapse. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for me, as I pushed myself cautiously toward consistency. My dedication became so ingrained that today, when I went to pick up my child from band practice, I found myself driving toward the gym out of sheer habit. Thankfully, I realized it in time and turned around. This experience brought the topic of habit to the forefront of my mind.
The Nature of Change
We often view change from various perspectives. Negative changes seem to happen easily, while positive changes can be challenging. However, it is really our perspective and determination that make both types of change equally manageable. When you shift your outlook and attitude, forming new habits becomes automatic—I promise.
A Personal Story of Change
Let me share a story about a change that was not so positive. At the time, I was around 41 or 42 years old and serving as Director of Operations for a unit of over 200 people. For a couple of years, I was working tirelessly to meet the expectations of higher-ups. Eventually, I received what I believed to be a deployment break, but, in reality, it was anything but restful. Deploying can be straightforward: workout, sleep, eat, fly, fight, win, then repeat—an intense but rewarding cycle. During this period, I gained about 25 to 30 pounds of unhealthy weight, stopped going to the gym, and ate poorly. It took a couple of years after retiring to realize how bad I felt. One day, I decided enough was enough. I learned to meal plan and prep on a budget, made better food choices accessible, and started exercising again. Now, these healthy habits are a part of my daily life.
Leadership and Gratitude
I am not complaining about the administrative challenges or the responsibility of leading hundreds in preparation for any operation. There were benefits, such as running leadership summits and securing contracts with remarkable people. One standout was Lee Ellis, whom we hired. He is not only an author but also someone who endured unimaginable hardship as a Hanoi Hilton prisoner during the Vietnam War. He had a slightly old-school approach; one day, he asked, “Can you get me a coffee with a yellow packet doll?” I knew he meant Splenda, and he did call me doll. Without hesitation, I got him his coffee and the yellow packet!
I am already excited about writing next week’s blog. Recently, several people have reached out to me regarding a section in my book where I discuss my meal planning and prepping strategies. They are particularly interested in how I manage meals, give leftovers a “VIP treatment,” and keep everything organized and fresh.
