Obligation vs Opportunity

I have to go to the gym.
I have to eat a healthy meal.
I have to go running.
I have to stretch more.
I have to drink more water.
I have to go to sleep earlier.
I have to make time to prepare my meals.
I have to give myself more time in the mornings to avoid stressful rushing around.

So often, we feel our everyday task-lists become filled with obligations. We feel pressured by all the things we have to get done. Sometimes, we see our daily self-care as a chore hanging over us. Even worse, exercise and eating healthy become a punishment rather than a gift to ourselves.

What if we shifted our perspective to see these obligations as opportunities?
What if instead of feeling like it's a chore to commit to these healthy habits, we appreciated that we are able to practice them at all?

One of my all-star clients often catches herself filled with "have-to" thoughts during our sessions, but is incredibly good at changing her perspective when she's caught up in feeling the weight of an obligation. When we get to our final set of exercises, she will say "We have to do another round of all this?!" and then she will quickly shift her mindset and rephrase aloud, "I mean, I GET to do another round of all this!"

How cool is that?

When we began working together, the first set of exercises was challenging for her. Now, she recognizes all the progress she has made and when it's time to power through that final set, she is grateful for her abilities to make her last set, the best set. 

Shoutout to Martin Rooney for TFW's "Last Set, Best Set" mantra and mindset that I adopted when I completed the Training For Warriors Level 1 Certification. Rooney says, "This statement is used to represent that to finish first, you must first finish through. When you cease to hold back you’ll be amazed at what you can really do."

Let's take a look back at our "have-to-do" list from above, but this time let's redirect with an outlook of opportunity and appreciation:

I GET to go to the gym today.
I GET to eat a healthy meal.
I GET to go running.
I AM ABLE to stretch more.
I GET to drink more water.
I AM ABLE to go to sleep earlier.
I GET to make time to prepare my meals.
I AM ABLE to give myself more time in the mornings to avoid stressful rushing around.


How easily does our attitude shift when we re-phrase our daily tasks?

Positioning your daily outlook on gratitude and positivity will help you conquer those daily-task lists. You will also find that becoming consistent with this simple practice may lead to:

• Higher productivity
• Easier stress-management
• Lower Anxiety
• Increased motivation
• Improved commitment to your exercise routines
• Easier to make better nutrition choices
• Decreased feelings of guilt when you step outside the lines, just a little, for that dessert or other indulgence
• Improved confidence and satisfaction with your efforts and progress
• Improved overall results, when compared to the "have-to" mindset

This week, I challenge you to catch yourself like my clients does. Anytime you are feeling the "whomp-whomp" of a have-to, I challenge you to pause and re-position with an outlook of opportunity.

Feel gratitude for your capabilities and for what you have already.
Feel energized for the opportunity to succeed and move forward, even with the tiniest of daily victories.
Feel appreciative, rather than obligated.

You don't HAVE to take this challenge, but you GET to if you choose to put some energy toward your self-care and self-improvement.

Have a great week everyone!

​-Coach Cassie


If you're interested in finding ways to make small, daily improvements and unlock your ultimate potential...check out my year-long coaching program. Imagine finding yourself on the other-side of your obstacles 12 months from now.