Episode 33: It Counts More Than You Think

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The moment that changed how I see my day

I was folding laundry the other day, running through everything I needed to get done. It wasn’t about fitness or a workout. It was just life. The list in my head kept going, what still needed to happen, what I hadn’t gotten to yet, what I should be doing next.

Without really thinking about it, I dropped into a squat.

It wasn’t planned or part of a routine. It wasn’t something I had scheduled or tracked. This was simply a moment of movement in the middle of an ordinary task.

The funny part is that this wasn’t new for me. I have been doing things like this for years. I jokingly call them my “housewife exercises.” Squats while folding laundry. Lunges across the room. Arm circles while waiting for a timer to go off in the kitchen.

None of it ever felt official. None of it felt consistent enough to call it a workout. It was just something I did here and there, without much thought.

But this time, something shifted.

“Why do I act like this only matters if it’s official?”

We’ve been taught to ignore the moments that matter

That question stayed with me because it revealed something deeper. This moment was not really about fitness. It was about how I had been taught to define progress.

Somewhere along the way, many of us learned that if something is not structured, it does not count. If it is not scheduled, it does not matter. If it is not impressive, it is not progress.

But the reality is that most of our lives do not unfold in perfect, structured blocks. Our days are filled with transitions, responsibilities, and small moments that we move through quickly, often without much awareness.

And yet, those are the very moments where change can happen.

“What if your day isn’t in the way of your progress? What if your day is the opportunity for it?”

The noise that keeps us searching for more

It is not difficult to see where these beliefs come from. We are surrounded by constant messaging that encourages us to do more, be more, and find better systems.

We hear that we need more structure, more detailed plans, more advanced strategies, and often, more financial investment in the “right” tools or programs. The wellness industry and the personal growth space, while often helpful, can also reinforce the idea that improvement requires something external.

None of this is inherently wrong. Many of these tools and systems have value. However, beneath all of it, there is often a subtle but powerful message:

“What you’re doing right now is not enough.”

When that belief takes hold, it becomes easy to dismiss the simple actions already present in our lives. We begin to overlook what is working because it does not appear significant enough.

The truth we tend to overlook

The truth is that most of us already know enough to begin making meaningful changes.

We know that moving our bodies more often is beneficial and we understand the importance of being present in our daily lives. We recognize that making slightly better choices consistently can lead to long-term improvements.

Yet, because these actions are simple, they often feel insufficient.

Consider your own daily routine. There are countless opportunities for movement that do not require additional time or planning. You can do calf raises while washing dishes, stretch while tidying up your home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park slightly farther away from your destination. Even walking through your home with intention rather than rushing can shift your energy.

These actions may not seem impressive, but they are meaningful. They represent awareness, intention, and participation in your own life.

“We have been trained to overlook what works because it does not look impressive.”

What this looks like in real life

This idea has become very real for me recently. As golf season approaches, my husband and I found ourselves practicing in our living room.

We stood there with putters in hand, repeatedly picking up golf balls from the floor, eighteen times in a row, mimicking the exact motion we would use on the course. It was simple, repetitive, and perhaps even a little humorous from the outside.

If someone had walked in, they might have questioned what we were doing.

It did not resemble a traditional workout or a structured practice session. However, it was purposeful. It was building muscle memory. It was reinforcing a pattern.

Even though it did not look like progress, it was.

The part we don’t talk about enough

At the same time, there are plenty of moments when I do not move, not because I am unable, but because I am caught in my thoughts.

I find myself thinking about everything that needs to be done, analyzing the “right” way to approach things, or questioning whether what I am doing is enough. In those moments, I become disconnected from the present.

Instead of taking a simple action, I overthink.

“Where are you overthinking your way out of action?”

This question has become an important one for me, and it may be for you as well.

The moment that shifted everything

One evening, Brian looked at me and said, “Put on your sneakers. We’re exercising.”

My initial reaction was resistance. I felt it immediately. I crossed my arms, shut down, and had no interest in participating.

But he remained calm and steady. He did not push aggressively, but he also did not withdraw the invitation.

So I put my sneakers on.

We started moving, using the rower and the medicine ball. It was not a perfect session, and it was not particularly structured. However, something shifted as we continued.

By the end, we were laughing. We were enjoying ourselves.

The next day, I found myself thinking about doing it again. Not because it had been flawless, but because we had stayed in the moment long enough for it to become something different.

A reminder I needed myself

This experience also brought up something more personal.

As a mother of three, I can be hard on myself. There are moments when I look at my body and compare it to who I used to be. I remember feeling stronger, more athletic, and more consistent.

It is easy to fall into the mindset that I have somehow lost that version of myself.

But that is not the full picture.

I am still strong, I am still capable, and I am still building something meaningful.

The difference is that it looks different now.

“Maybe progress isn’t about becoming who you used to be. Maybe it is about recognizing who you still are.”

How goals are actually built

This realization extends far beyond movement.

It speaks to how we achieve goals in any area of life.

We often believe that goals are reached through significant, decisive actions or major turning points. However, the reality is that they are built through patterns of behavior.

These patterns are formed through the choices we make each day, often in moments that seem insignificant.

When we overlook those moments, we disconnect from the very process that creates progress.

The shift that changes everything

You do not need more time to make progress.

What you need is a different perspective on how you use the time you already have.

You don’t need a more advanced system or a perfect plan, you need to trust the effectiveness of simple, consistent actions.

You don’t need to completely restructure your life, you need to engage with your life as it currently exists.

Each time you move your body, make a conscious choice, or stay present in a moment, you are contributing to something larger.

“Start counting what matters.”

A simple challenge to begin

Rather than attempting to make drastic changes, start small.

Choose three moments in your day and approach them with intention.

• While brushing your teeth, incorporate a small movement.
• While cooking, take a moment to stretch.
• While waiting, engage in a simple action instead of remaining still.

These adjustments do not require additional time. They simply require awareness.

Over time, these small shifts can create meaningful change.

The truth most people miss

The moment of folding laundry and dropping into a squat did not appear significant.

It did not resemble a breakthrough.

But it was a form of progress.

These moments are present throughout your day. They have always been there.

The difference is whether you recognize their value.

The life you want is not dependent on finding a better plan or waiting for the perfect system.

It is built through the actions you take within the life you are already living.

“What you are doing already counts more than you think.”

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