Over the last few years I’ve been studying a lot about the Law of Attraction, the psychology of success, the power of positive thinking, and the importance of “belief” (I don’t necessarily mean that in a religious context). The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still need to learn and understand, but the universe is definitely starting to make more sense to me now. It’s starting to become apparent that we as humans have FAR more influence over our lives, environment, and circumstances than most of us realize. I’m also able to clearly see how powerful one’s thoughts and emotions are related to health, fitness, and performance.

This leads me to discuss one common sentiment or approach that many health / fitness professionals use with their clients, and that is the whole idea that the problems or challenges the client is dealing with are “Not their fault.” For example, a weight loss product or service is offered with the consoling statement that “it’s not your fault that you’re over-weight, because: (a) the fitness industry lied to you so you didn’t have the right information; or (b) you just needed our product or service to give you the correct guidance; or (c) you have a problem that only we have the solution for”; etc.

They are saying “it’s not your fault” but you are hearing “it’s not my responsibility”. It may feel good to hear that you have nothing to do with your current situation or circumstances (ie: it’s not your fault), but the truth is that you are 100 % responsible for everything in your own life, good or bad. To put that responsibility (or blame) on others is actually dis-empowering to yourself. This is a victim-mentality… believing that life just “happens to me”, rather than “I create my life”.

That’s how institutions and those in power have controlled the masses throughout history, by having us believe we are victims, and nothing is our “fault”… our “problems” are because of the economy, or the government, or our parents, or some childhood trauma, or the alignment of the stars, or our genetics, or whatever. It’s time to take control of your life! Start living your life by design, rather than by default.

To accept that you in some way attracted or created every situation, event, or relationship in your life today may be tough to do, and the instinct might be to find dozens of reasons why all of the negative things (health issues, debt, job you hate, unhealthy relationships, etc) have nothing to do with you. It’s not easy for some people to believe (myself included), especially if you tend to experience a lot of hardship in your life. I have to constantly remind myself that I’m creating my own reality with every thought I think, emotion I feel, and action I take.

I can almost hear some of you right now saying, “well that car accident wasn’t my fault!” or “I didn’t create this illness I’m suffering from”, and so on. However, once you find a way to understand and accept that you did indeed play a role in creating your current life, the more empowered you will become and the faster you can change your life for the better. All I can say, without getting too much into the science and philosophy being it, is that based on what you focus on and what your emotions are like, you are attracting or creating everything that is in your life right now.

Rocky says it like it is, in this short video below:

"Stop pointing fingers and sayin' you ain't where you wanna be because of him or her or anybody!"

This way of thinking also eliminates all excuses for not taking charge of your life and going after your dreams and goals. Even your “genetics” is no excuse, as there is more and more cutting edge research that suggests that even ones genetics can be changed! There are studies showing that over several years, your nutrition, exercise habits, and even your thoughts and emotions can have subtle effects on your genetic code. And I’m sure you’ve heard the anecdote that every cell in your body is exchanged / replaced over the course of 7 years. By that logic, you can be an entirely NEW person in 7 years, depending on the choices you make now!

Therefore, rather than looking at circumstances or situations in your life as anyone’s “fault”, think of these things as something you have the power to influence and bring into your life (whether intentionally or unintentionally) and thus you also have the power to change them. Consider the fact that at the most basic level everything is energy. Your ‘energy’ attracts ‘like’ or similar energy. So if you are attracting unwanted situations into your life, it might be time to raise your energy! As soon as you realize that and take 100% responsibility for your life, that’s when the magic starts to happen! Things change… maybe slowly at first, but the greater your level of belief, and the more positive your energy level is, the more incredible your life will become.

Do this by focusing on what you WANT in your life and getting excited about it! What you focus on expands. Think about what you desire all the time, and focus on feeling good about it. Don’t put attention on everything you don’t want or don’t like anymore. Monitor your thoughts and kick the crap out of the negative ones. Also, be aware of what you say to others; words have power, so stop complaining… period!

Success is just a decision away. It’s your choice.

Live fully,

Josh