As I was watching the US Open this weekend with my husband, I gave thanks that I am not a professional golfer. There’s no grace in professional golf. ( Anyone else get a visual of Tom Hanks shouting “There’s no crying in baseball!”? Just me?) The first, and only, time I played golf with my husband, he showered me with grace in the form of mulligans – several of them. I was shocked the first time I realized that in professional golf, the players do not get such a gift.
But like I said, I’m no professional golfer. So today, I declare this day to be a Mulligan Monday. I started an at home workout program on May 12th. It’s a reasonable workout – as little as 10 minutes if I don’t want to warm-up or cool down and it’s as challenging as I make it. During the first four weeks of doing the program I missed a day each week for one reason or another. Most people would say that having newborn twins is reason enough. But now that I know that the best time for me to work out before they even wake up, I really don’t have an excuse not to get it done.
With the exception of the night David Sr., David Jr., and I all tried Rev Abs, I took all last week off. I decided to use the time to regroup. I wanted to come up with realistic strategies to help me meet the goal of working out each day.
Strategy #1: Visual reminder – I drew up a crude calendar for the next four weeks and taped it up on the wall next to our television. I plan to put a check mark, or a sticker if I ever get around to organizing the teaching supplies I brought home, every time I complete a workout. My prayer is that having the calendar right next to the TV will serve as a great reminder, not just for me, but also for my motivation squad – David Sr. and Junior. For every completed week, I will be rewarding myself, not with food, but by buying some of the ingredients I need to make homemade sunscreen. I’ve totally fallen down the rabbit hole with this whole DIY healthy and natural skincare thing. (See “No Filter” if that last sentence left you scratching your head)
Strategy #2: Accountability – As soon as I log my workout on my calendar, I will report to my online accountability group. I set an alarm on my phone to go off during the twins’ “big” nap to remind me to report to the group. It will also serve as a push and shove for me to work out just in case I haven’t gotten around to it by that time.
Strategy #3: Eliminate excuses – I will keep clean workout gear downstairs, close to the TV room, or in it when possible. This includes my workout clothes, yoga mat, shoes, and socks. I am easily distracted, so I’m more likely to start and complete my workout if I do not have to travel upstairs to get my workout necessities.
The beauty of a Mulligan Monday, or any day of the week for that matter, is that there’s no need to wait for New Year’s Day or the first of the month to “start over”. However, we do need to be careful to not abuse the gift of the do over. It’s not really a do over if we are continuously starting over. If we find ourselves constantly starting over, there’s a really good chance we never earnestly started in the first place. When we notice this happening, it’s best to take a step back to identify our goals, get our priorities in check, make a game plan, and then implement it.
Are you in need of a Mulligan Monday? In what specific area of your life? I’d love to walk with you on your journey to wholeness. Let me know how I can pray with and for you. Feel free to email me at floyds07@gmail.com if you don’t feel comfortable commenting below.
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