the wood for the trees scenario

you’ve heard the phrase ‘can’t see the wood for the trees’.

meaning you often can’t see what is infront of you due to distractions.

you’re distracted by the leaves, the branches and the colours.

that you fail to see the sheer amount of wood right in front of your eyes.

well I used to be the same, and my life was epitomized by this phrase.

everything I do in life is to provide and create a better future for my family.

but in the past, I’ve done exactly the opposite, and it almost cost me.

back in 2016, I opened my own small group personal training facility.

it was going to be life changing, not just me and my family, but members too.

it meant I was going to be able to change more lives, than I could working 1-2-1.

and I did, it was a great success for many years, and we changed a lot of lives.

but the lives that meant the most to me, were suffering the most.

I was working 16-17 hour days, and barely seeing my family.

my son was asleep when I left for work in the morning, and asleep when I returned at night.

my wife didn’t get the best of me, as I was either falling asleep on the sofa, or not present.

weekends started off working Saturday morning, then cleaning the gym.

and finished with me drinking to excess to escape the stress of the working week.

working such long hours and sacrificing family time was justified as building a better future.

but the trouble with that mentality is, the future is now, and is sucked.

my relationship with my wife and son was at rock bottom.

my physical and mental health were at their lowest points.

but the more I worked, the more I made things worse, I just couldn’t stop.

it had been 5 years, and I kept going thinking things would magically improve.

but the one thing I needed to do, was right in front of my eyes, close the gym.

it was tearing my family apart, it was causing me health issues, and destroying me.

but back then, I was too close, and couldn’t see what needed to be done.

thankfully, I realised before it was too late, and closed the gym in January 21.

it was a tough decision at the time, and it wasn’t an easy process.

but it was the best thing I could have done, as it saved me, and my family.

it took me on a journey of personal development, mindset and self mastery.

i’m now the happiest, and happiest I’ve ever been, and my relationships are stronger than ever.