Don’t wait for an expert to tell you what you already know

I spent much of my day yesterday at the doctor.  About a week ago, I pulled a tick off of my leg and now there’s a rash.  Yup, Lyme disease.  Awesome.  Gave me some antibiotics and now they are going to watch me closely.
This post is not about that…

While I was waiting to be seen, a nurse came by to take my vital signs.

My blood pressure was a little high.

Not really high, but a little.  This alarmed me more than the tick bite.

As the Doctor was writing my prescription, I mentioned that my blood pressure was a little high.

“Yes, a little.  You’re overweight, so that’s probably part of it”

Huh.

I know I’m overweight.  I’m eating better, and swimming almost every day.  In fact, in 2010, I’m down almost 10 pounds.

But it took a doctor telling me something I already knew to REALLY put myself in gear about taking care of myself.

Why did I wait for that?  I’m a smart person.  I can look in the mirror and tell that I’ve got 30 pounds I don’t need at all.  I have a fused spine and that 30 pounds is making my back work harder than it should.

I knew all of that, but it wasn’t until a Doctor told me my blood pressure would go down if I lost 30 pounds to resolve to really change my life.

What are you waiting on some expert to tell you?

Some things are worth consulting an expert for.  My Lyme disease wasn’t going to go away on it’s own.  But the intelligent person in me already knew I’m not taking as good care of myself as I should.

• Does your job suck and keep you from doing what you love?
• Do you know you can make a difference in the world, but you’re afraid of failure so you don’t even try?
• Has it been weeks since you told your wife how much she means to you?  What about your Dad?
• Are you itching to do something that scares the crap out of you?

Don’t wait for an expert to tell you what you already know you need to do.  Consult with them when necessary, but don’t use the lack of one as an excuse to do nothing.