Thank you for reading this week’s Operation Melt update.
Operation Melt started as a blog to share my personal transformation and weight loss story. After achieving success with that goal, Operation Melt has evolved into a platform to help inspire, motivate and equip people to achieve their own personal and professional goals so they can live their best lives.
I am trying to build a world where no goal ever dies of loneliness.
Throughout my journey, I have learned that many life lessons can be learned by getting fit. This week I am sharing another installment of Fitness Lessons are Life Lessons.
The One Thing
In my journey, I have learned that there is one secret to all self-improvement. It can make you healthier, wealthier, a better leader, a better person and happier. But it seems to be in very short supply in the world around us.
Here’s what I mean…
Despite acknowledging many of these things as the “ugly” of 2020 so far (read in Final Lap of 2020), I made some questionable choices over the past couple of weeks. I have binge-watched cable news. I have watched two debates (if you can call them that). I have read people having arguments in social media comments (as I wrote in My Hazardous Mistake, I know I shouldn’t do this).
Through all of these things, I have observed a stunning lack of humility in the world around me. It is so frustrating to see and really confuses me because it is so self-sabotaging.
Perspectives on Humility
I could write for pages and pages about what humility is, why it is important and share hundreds of examples of humility successes and failures. Instead, I will share a quote that particularly resonates with me.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
C.S. Lewis
Humility is not about downplaying your strengths. It is not about adopting an “aw, shucks” or “I don’t know, I’m just a xxx” self-dismissive personality. That’s dishonesty and the opposite of humility.
True humility is admitting you don’t know everything and can learn something from everybody around you. It is about leading with empathy and curiosity to genuinely understand new things. It is about being vulnerable. It means putting other’s needs ahead of your own sometimes. It means generosity. It usually means listening more and talking less. But humility could also mean that you aren’t keeping your perspective or knowledge hidden when it could help somebody. You are using your talents for the benefit of others.
In short, humility is about recognizing that we are all imperfect and growing beings and genuinely wanting us all to improve together.
Five Times
I have so many examples of when humility has been important throughout my life. Some of them were tough lessons that I learned and some are accomplishments that make me very proud of myself.
Since this is a Fitness Lessons are Life Lessons post, I am going to share 5 quick examples of how I reinforced the value of humility in my fitness journey.
Humility to take the first step. When I stepped on that scale and heard the painful truth from my doctor, I had a moment of humility. I admitted that things weren’t working and I had to make a change. Without embracing humility I would never have even started this journey that has resulted in some of my proudest moments and accomplishments. All self-improvement begins with humility.
Humility to set myself up for success. At the beginning of my journey, I didn’t know how to be successful. So I embraced my humility again and did lots of research into how to be successful with my weight loss journey. Plus I took lots of partners, especially my doctor, to help me get on the right track.
Humility to seek help. I had been working out in the gym for a while and had just achieved my 100 pounds lost goal. But I needed to admit that I didn’t know what I was doing in the gym and needed help to get better. That’s when I engaged a personal trainer to help me help myself get better.
Humility to get better. When I became a runner I had a couple of injuries and struggled a bit to improve my performance. Then I started seeking input from every other runner I know in my life to get their tips and tricks. I started getting better at running and I continue to improve every day today and still continue to seek expertise from others.
Humility to give to help others. Early in my journey, I started to realize that I had experiences and knowledge that could benefit others. That’s why I was always willing to share my experiences in conversations, I launched my blog and wrote my book. I want to give to others to help them accomplish their goals.
As I said, this list could go on and on. For example, I wanted to run today to top last week’s mileage but I had to concede that my body needed rest and the desire to run was just about ego. And don’t get me started on body image.
Your Turn
I believe that the best way to boost your humility is to embrace the scientific method as a tool for life. By actively approaching all situations in our lives with the perspective of “here’s what I think, but I might be wrong.” Be willing and eager to discover new information that could prove your perspective wrong and make it better.
Where can you better embrace your humility to help yourself and others grow?
I Need Your Help
Before you go I would like to ask you for a favor. I can’t build a world where no goal ever dies of loneliness on my own. Please consider helping your friends find today’s post by following me on Facebook, on LinkedIn or via Instagram and share today’s post to your feed.
While you are at it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s post, your goals or anything else on your mind. Send me a note via my Contact Me form,
Thanks again for reading today’s post and here’s to achieving your most important goals!
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