How to Take Control and Find Solutions
Updated: Aug 4, 2020

Have you ever wondered why some people can succeed while others get stuck?
What if I told you that you 100% have what it takes to take control of your life and find solutions to your problems?
My problem was small, by all things considered, but the steps I used to overcome my problem are the same for issues of all sizes.
Last week, California was ordered to "shelter in place". Once I got the kids set up for virtual school I was pretty set to hunker in place except for my workouts. I LOVE the gym. I have tried for years to exercise at home but can never find the motivation. Last week, every day I told myself I would work out from home. Out of those seven days, I worked out once. Yup, that's right, just one time.
My Problem: I needed to workout.
My Excuses (Objectives):
Gyms are closed.
I felt overwhelmed by all the YouTube workout videos.
I did not like the instructor or music.
I did not have time.
I did not want to pay for a virtual workout program.

I could go on with a list of excuses for why I did not work out and why I would not be able to keep up with my fitness goals while we are in shelter in place.
"I look at my excuses as a way to find solutions to my problem."
My Problem: I needed to workout.
My Solutions:
1. Gyms closed (Excuse)
a) Solution: I can go for a run or bike ride
i. Last time I went for a run, my joints hurt for a week (Excuse)
- Solution: I could take supplements
ii. I don't have the right supplements and would have to order online (Excuse: sometimes you can't find a solution)
2. I felt overwhelmed by all the YouTube workout videos (Excuse)
a) Solution: I can ask for recommendations on Facebook
b) Solution: I can look up the most popular videos
i. I did not like the instructor or music (Excuse)
- Solution: I can skim through videos to see if I like the music and the instructor
- Solution: I can make a list of my favorite videos, so I have a list to reference
3. I did not have time (Excuse)
a) Solution: I can get up early
b) Solution: I can lay my clothes out the night before
c) Solution: I can make a schedule, so I don't have to think about what class I want to do
d) Solution: I can work out after the kids go to bed
4. I did not want to pay for a virtual workout program (Excuse)
a) Solution: Find it for free
b) Solution: Find a group of friends to work out with virtually to hold myself accountable
"I used my excuse as a platform to look for solutions."
After I went through my excuses, I found a solution that I think will work:

Lay workout clothes out the night before
Get up at 4:45 am to work out before kids get up
Ask my friends to list YouTube channels that they like and use
Create a workout schedule with links to YouTube videos that I have approved
Will this work? Who knows? More than likely, I will have another reason why something will hold me back. But then I go through the same process of addressing my excuses and come up with new solutions until it does work.
"Join our Facebook Group for my YouTube Workout PDF"
Yes, some problems will be harder to find solutions. You may choose not to take action on an issue, which is a solution within itself. Others may feel like you have an answer, only to realize after you collected more information that you decide not to pursue. Some solutions are hard while some take work and sacrifice. But at the end of the day your problem is closer to being solved.
Here is the point. Only YOU can decide how you want to live your life. Do you want to find solutions to your problems or complain about them? Do you want growth, or do you want comfort?
I choose to grow, to find solutions, to overcome, to fly! Join me.