Sometimes I write a blog and sometimes it writes itself. This one wrote itself. Running a lot of miles with no headphones and time to reflect is fertile ground for blogs!
What Do You Feel You Can’t Do?
Before reading further, close your eyes and take two minutes to consider. Stop cheating. Seriously, close your eyes and think about it. This is quite possibly the thing(s) you must do.
Can you not forgive someone? Then you must.
Can you not reconcile with someone? Then you must.
Can you not love your spouse? Then you must.
Are you a workaholic who can’t find time for your family? Then you must go home early today.
Are you so driven that you can’t go on a vacation? I give you permission to leave the remainder of this blog unread to book a one-way flight wherever you want to go.
Are your joints so weak that you have rationalized exercising away? Have you heard of swimming, rowing, canoeing, or dumbbells?
Can you not reduce your sugar intake?
Can you not get enough sleep?
Can you not stop spending?
Can you not spend enough?
Can you not give?
You get the picture. The thing you feel you can’t do is likely the very thing you must do.
A Coaching Challenge
Here is a challenge. Remember, this is a blog on coaching. If it never inspires a change in your mindset or behavior, stop wasting your time reading it.
The next time you find yourself thinking you couldn’t do something, do it anyway. Napoleon Hill said, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.”
Before going further, I acknowledge the limitations of that mindset. If you are over the age of 30, you will never become the next Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately for us Gators, it seems anyone can become the next DJ Lagway. That’s a low blow, and I hope that by the time this blog is sent out, my critique will be seen as premature!
You can run a marathon! No? Maybe a mile then. Still, no? At least jog to the mailbox and back, and park farther away from the entrance of Golden Corral. Start somewhere.
Proof from My Own Life
When I was 16 years old, a guest speaker at the Mulberry High School FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) shared that he had memorized all five chapters of the Book of James. I remember thinking, “No way. That’s impossible.” And over the next 3 months, every day after school, I proceeded to do it. If you give me a few days to refresh my memory, I can still recite the whole book.
When a good client of mine shared nearly three years ago how the ketogenic diet helped him lose weight, again I thought, “That’s ridiculous. You can’t lose weight by eating as many eggs, cheese, and meat as you want just by eliminating carbs.” Then I dumped my delicious vanilla latte from Black & Brew and did it for the next 3 months, starting two weeks before Thanksgiving—it was awful. But I did it. And so far, I’ve kept those 20 pounds off.
Taking the Road Less Traveled
Perhaps I sound a bit sadistic. My wife says I tend to take things to the extreme. Maybe, but Robert Frost and Jesus sure talked a lot about taking the road less traveled.
In the moment, nobody wants to be crazy, or different, or risk failure, but in the end, we all look back and wonder whether the impossible thing(s) may have been achievable. Stop wondering and give it a shot.
Or maybe my kids now say, “Shoot your shot.”
I was scared to death to ask my wife out in college. In my mind, it was a guaranteed no. I asked anyway. Score!
A Higher Calling
I read these words from Paul in Philippians recently, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Are you kidding me? Paul might as well have said to spread your wings and fly. And yet, this is how I am to treat my wife, kids, family, friends, co-workers, the needy, and dare I say, even my enemies!
This is so comical that I find myself laughing hysterically with God at the absurdity until I stop and hear Him say, “No, really. I’m serious.”
Okay, here we go again. I certainly cannot do this.
And so, I must.
In Memory
As I conclude this blog, I’m reflecting on the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, and praying for his late wife and young children. Perhaps I shouldn’t mention him in my blog. Heaven forbid clients form assumptions about my personal political beliefs. I love helping clients across the spectrum and some of my favorites are at opposite ends.
And what kind of hypocritical blog writer would I be if I didn’t do what I couldn’t do?
When I read the words, “Charlie Kirk shot and killed,” I gasped. It seemed my life was sucked out of me. I’ve felt that way two other times in my life—when my son, Quinn, died at nearly 15 months old and when my Granddad died at age 93. I didn’t know Charlie. I never met him. But somehow, a part of me was taken away. I don’t know why I feel that way. And I hope you’ll show me grace if you disagree.
But I miss Quinn, my Granddad, and Charlie. Quinn struggled to thrive, but he hung around long enough to profoundly bless a few. My Granddad came from nothing, lost his father at a young age, and against long odds, became a great man. You can make your own mind up about Charlie Kirk.
I can’t honor them enough.
Or can I?
October 2025
