You have a gift to share with the world, whether you think you do or not. And the world needs you to share that gift, in your own unique way.

When you do this, I believe you’ve won.

But here’s the thing: you can’t win if you don’t play.

And too many of us aren’t playing.

The question is: why?

It’s not a surprise that there’s no one single answer. Because each of us is unique, and so are the things we are allowing to hold us back.

And yes, I believe that we are allowing ourselves to be held back.

Some of the things we allow to hold us back are simple. We don’t get in the game of exercise because it’s hard. It’s not fun. Yes, the results will be total game-changers for us because we’ll be stronger, healthier, have more energy and be in better shape, but it takes time and – more importantly – effort to work out. It doesn’t feel particularly good to start an exercise routine. Your muscles are sore and your feet might start to hurt. So we let that hold us back. We choose to stay where we are instead of pushing through the discomfort necessary to get someplace better.

Some are not as simple. We don’t create a successful business because we’re not willing to put in the hours and hard work to try to build something that, frankly, may not work out. We’re afraid of failing, afraid of looking foolish, afraid of wasting time and money. So we let our fear hold us back. We choose to stay where we are just in case we don’t find something better. The irony is, however, that when we have a passion and we pursue it, it is the pursuit itself that creates fulfillment and happiness in our lives. The climb up the mountain is where the joy is, not the summit. You could spend your life doing what you love, without becoming a “success”. Then again, if you spend your life doing what you love, isn’t that success?

The truth that we all know is that you cannot get anything if you don’t work for it. You can’t win if you don’t play.

It’s true in your career, it’s true for your health, it’s true in every relationship, it’s true spiritually. You have to play – you have to put in the time and the work.

But you can let fear or discomfort stop you from getting in the game. You can let other people’s opinions stop you. You can let television or your smartphone distract you and keep you from playing.

Or you can not.

You can choose to silence all the voices in your head that aren’t helping you to live your best life. Choose to stop allowing yourself to be stopped.

Choose to get in the game.

~xo,
LuAnne