So, I was asked today what my mission statement is.  I suppose since I ask all of you to create a mission statement, set goals, push yourself, tell me all about you, and sacrifice sleep and sugar to get healthy, the least I could do is tell you about me and mine.

This question really got me thinking.  I have accomplished some amazing things over the last few years.  Things that I could not have EVER in my wildest dreams imagined.  It takes me back to one afternoon while I was driving in my car.  I was on my way to Chris' house for the first time ever.  We had been dating for more than a few weeks, so I was going to see his house before we went out on our date that night.  I was cautious in the beginning, we met at restaurants and public places.  :) 

I called him on the way over to his house and I asked him if he was an axe murderer.  I told him that I had a lot of potential and great things were happening for me.  I could really feel at that time in my life, I was on the brink of incredibleness.  At that point, I had no idea what was about to happen, but I could feel something.  I also told him that if anything happened to me, it would really hurt my family.  My mom would not be able to survive without me, you know, grammie needs me, I just need to stay alive.  So, I said, if you are going to kill me, can you just tell me know, and I won't come over. 

This is a true story.  I really asked him if he was going to kill me.  I even, a few days later, stuck my head in the crawl space and said "hello??" just to check.  You never know, really, and I wanted to make sure that I would be able to live up to the potential I felt.

So that gets me to my mission statement - "Go Get It".  It is simple, but it is really meaningful.  Figure out what you want, and go get it.  Nothing can stop you when you set your sights on that goal.  Every single choice that you make up to achieving that goal, brings you closer to it.  You have committed 100% to your goal and to yourself that you will do what it takes, no matter what. 

Some days go great.  You have energy, your workout is great, there are no temptations along the way that could derail you.  You are right on track and nothing can stop you.  I love those days.  I try to create those days by planning, staying positive, and remembering to breathe.  Other days are like torture.  You are off from the beginning, whether it is someone at home who pushes your buttons, a work project that just is not going right, a bad night's sleep.  Will power is down when you are not feeling like yourself.  That is the day that you have to recommit and mean it.  Reaffirm why you want to make your goal a reality.  Whether it is a sparkly bikini up in front of hundreds of people, nailing your presentation, or feeling good about yourself in your new jeans that are two sizes smaller than the last pair that you bought.  Honoring the commitment to yourself each and every day, even the hard days, is what will make your dream a reality.

You can look back over the day and say, you know what, that day totally sucked - everything that I could not control, went wrong, but I did not cave in.  I stuck to my plan.  I worked hard.  I did everything that I could.  Then you take a deep breath, blow it out, and you can smile.  You can feel good about the day.  You can be proud that you made the choices you did.  And you will know that tomorrow is going to be better, and that you are one day closer to that goal, not trying to play catch up.

I like to use the little saying - "I've got goals" when I am faced with temptation.  Like the donut in the first meeting of the day.  Your co-worker is eating one right next to you and she says, well, aren't you going to have one?  You say, no, not today, I have goals.  Try it.  Saying it out loud helps, saying it out loud to someone else, helps even more.  They will hold you accountable.  You won't be able to reach for that donut 30 minutes later, after all of your will power is used up. If you told someone else that you are not going to eat it, you cannot go back on that.  It makes your resolution stronger.  And, when you leave the meeting, not having eaten the donut, you will make other better choices all day.  You are stronger than the donut.  Your commitment to that goal is stronger than the craving. 

When you mention your goals out loud, it also allows you to remember what they are.  Think about the "why" of it all.  I picture myself standing on stage with two or three of the top figure competitors in the world.  I want the only thoughts that are going through my head to be winning ones.  I want the peace of mind that I did EVERY single thing that I could to beat them.  I don't want to think back and say, Emily, really, did you need that slice of pizza or that scoop of ice cream, or you could have pushed yourself a little harder in the gym.  Nope, absolutely no regrets standing up there.  Every choice that I made led me to that spot, and to the first place trophy! 

Over the last two years I have set more goals for myself than I probably have for the ten preceding.  And I have accomplished more than ever.  I have to thank Chris for the majority of my accomplishments.  He has pushed me when I was scared and did not want to take the first step.  He did not let the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach make me doubt myself.  He has lit more fires under my behind than I care to mention, but they have all turned out better than either one of us thought.  And I honesty don't even remember if there were ones that didn't.  They did not kill me, and neither did he!  :) 

And, you know what?  That sick feeling, it goes away.  The more you become a do-er, the easier it becomes to keep doing.  You gain confidence because more than likely, what you tried to do, turns out great, so the next thing does not seem like that big of a deal.  You do more, you set more goals, you get great results and you start living the life that you have always dreamed about.

I read those motivational quotes - the ones that say things like "when you look back over your life you will be more disappointed with the things that you didn't do than the things that you did" or "if we did all the things that we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves" or "what is around you is so small in comparison to what is inside of you" or "whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. boldness has genius, power, and magic in it" or "overcome the notion that you must be regular. it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary" - and I think about how true they really are.  I believe every single one of them.  Through jumping feet first into my own business and putting myself out there on a figure stage, I know that life is lived in the doing and the accomplishing.  The only thing that is stopping you, is you.  Being afraid is not a reason not to "do," get excited and go for it.  Turn that fear into excitement and jump.

I am so lucky, with the steps that I have taken, I have found my passion in life.  And I get to live it every single day.  I get to watch and help amazing women change their lives.  I get to change the world, one person at a time.  I love sharing in your successes and achievements.  It makes me proud to watch you do more pushups or try them on your toes.  When I see you smiling when you get on the scale or when we have that tape measure out, I can feel my heart swelling.  I am amazed by the group of women that we have, not only the ones in class, but everyone who has ever been a part of our group.  You all have changed me and my life for the better!  I would not be me today, without you.

Believe that you are nature's greatest miracle and that your potential is greater than you have ever imagined, and see what you can do!

Life really does start at the end of your comfort zone.  Step out of the safe spot you stand in, and push yourself to make the changes that you need to make to accomplish what you really want to accomplish.  It is hard, and it is uncomfortable, but nothing that you want is too hard.  You just have to start and see where your potential will take you.

Thank you for asking me about my mission statement.  My competition diet started a few weeks ago, and this week, I have already started seeing the changes in my body.  Thinking about my mission and my goals has reaffirmed what I am doing.  I am more determined than ever.  I want to look better than I have ever looked in my life this May.  I want there to be no question in any of the judges' minds that I am taking home the overall trophy.  I know that my work ethic and my determination will get me there.

Think about what you want and why.  Your assignment for next week is to write out one sentence for what you want to accomplish in boot camp in the next couple of months.  Make it something that you can do in 2 months or less (so, by my wedding:).  This is not necessarily your ultimate goal, but just your jump start.  If you have ten pounds hanging around that you want gone, tell me that.  If you want to be able to do a full set of pushups on your toes, tell me that.  If you want to start planning your meals and get on track with your eating, that is great.  When I know what you want, I can help you make it happen.  If you are happy with where you are now, and you just want boot camp for a great workout and you time, that is ok too.  Just tell me.  It will help you get and stay on track.  I want you to get what you want.  I want you to feel amazing.  And sometimes, a little kick start, is all you need, to get going.

You have it inside you.  Go get it!

Love, Emily

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