This week's Pep Talk Blog: "GOAL Setting"

I have a confession to make: I have an addiction. But I think it honors me, nurtures those dependent upon me and adds value to the communities I serve. I love creating acronyms, or hearing others’ acronyms, designed to encourage us to, as I like to say, “Transform life’s lemons – the heck with lemonade – into sweet and savory margaritas.”

First, let’s start with the definition. Oxford American Dictionary defines acronym as: “a word formed from the initial letters of other words.” Many are well known, like: “RSVP” which stands for “Repondez S’il Vous Plait – French for “please reply – or “ATM” for automated teller machine.

One of my personal favorites comes from my work as the Comeback Coach. I always encourage others to be a JOCK. I don’t care how old audience members are; what kind of physical shape they’re in; whether they have an athletic bone in their body or not, I encourage them to be a JOCK. That means being: Joyful for our blessings, Optimistic about our future, Courageous despite our past, which leads, usually, to Kickin’ some butt in life.

At all times, I wear a JOCK wristband to challenge myself to walk that talk. Some friends joke it’s my jockstrap. Anyway, I also love hearing others share their favorite acronyms. Recently while speaking at an event, the talented gentlemen who followed me onto the stage offered two I absolutely loved and wanted to share with you.

The first is FEAR. Often we see this acronym described as “False Expectations Appearing Real.” Well, Don Awalt has another take on fear. He describes it as, “Forget Everything And Return.” He was referring to how often in life, we try and take courageous steps to move forward, to grow, to get outside our comfort zone, but then at the first sign of resistance, we retreat. We fall back into old habits, forget everything we’ve learned and return to past behaviors, attitudes and beliefs we know no longer serve us.

Toward the end of his presentation, Awalt offered another acronym that vibrated my bones. While talking about the importance of having a goal in life he pronounced: “Go Out And Live.”

Ain’t that the truth. This week, regardless of whatever change, challenge and adversity is present in your life, make it your mission, your goal to, Go Out And Live.

Maybe it starts with being joyful for your blessings, optimistic about your future, courageous despite your past. I promise you, that kind of attitude will not hurt your chances of having a kickbutt week, month, year and life.