Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

I heard this Mary Oliver quote in the film I watched this past weekend, Nyad. I hadn’t heard it before, surprising as I’ve collected quotes for as long as I can remember.

For some reason, it resonated with me deeply and prompted some reflection—something I had been avoiding, despite it being January and the beginning of a new year… maybe you can relate?

In the film, the quote reminds Diana Nyad that she once had an impossible dream: to swim 177km (110 miles) from Cuba to Key West. She had attempted it earlier, in 1978, and had failed. Now 60 (in 2010, when the film starts), she is determined to complete this marathon swim, despite the fact that no one has done it yet. 

Whether she actually completed the swim is mired in controversy, but that’s not what I want to focus on here.

Her dedication to living an extraordinary life is admirable and inspiring. 

She wanted her legacy to be the first person to swim what many said was impossible. She persevered despite many obstacles that challenged her along the way (including having her coach and navigator quit because of her single-mindedness).  

For Nyad, being a marathon swimmer and completing feats that most people wouldn’t even dare attempt, made her life extraordinary. 

What does living an extraordinary life mean to you?

Imagine sitting in your rocker at 100, having no regrets. 

Telling your grandchildren (and great-grandchildren!) about your travels, your adventures, and your unique experiences. 

What lit you up with excitement? 

What do you remember most fondly? 

Who were the people you met along the way who guided you, encouraged you, and supported you so that your life could be extraordinary? 

My doctor asked me what I would regret when I was debating leaving teaching. Looking back from my rocker gave me the clarity I had been missing for years (check out You Only Get One Life for the full story).

Annie Dillard wrote, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives”. 

If life is passing you by and you’re just going through the motions, day in and day out, then are you really living? 

When you look back at the end of your life, will you be happy with how you spent your days? Or will you be filled with regret?

Something must change 

News flash: Most people don’t like change. 

Why would we ever want to leave our comfort zones where we’re safe and comfortable? 

Because all those quotes about leaving your comfort zone are true: it really is where the magic happens. 

Get out of your comfort zone and embrace life 

What does getting out of your comfort zone mean to you? 

It’s different for everybody, depending on how big your current zone is. 

Your first step out doesn’t have to be a giant leap. 

My first step might have been invisible to others, but for me, it was a big one. 

I needed to love hard on myself because I never really had. Loving myself and leaving the familiar (but oh so negative) self-talk behind was no easy feat, but it was necessary to start creating the life I wanted.  

The first step is different for everyone, but it could be saying hi to a stranger while waiting in line for coffee.

Another small step might be saying no when someone tries to add something more to your already overflowing plate. 

Learning another language before you travel somewhere new could be a bigger step out of your comfort zone, especially if you’re taking in-person classes where you’re encouraged to practice with other students. 

These may not be giant leaps (like applying for a new job, training for a race, or jumping out of a plane), but they’ll get you started in the right direction. And you’ll get the confidence boost you’re looking for to take even bigger steps in the future (your comfort zone increases the more you practice stepping out of it).

Your extraordinary life doesn’t begin because you decide to pack up and move overseas. 

It begins by taking small, consistent steps toward your dreams. 

That’s much less daunting, isn’t it?

Much more doable. 

That’s how a keystone habit can support you in creating an extraordinary life. 

Let’s say you need to focus on getting enough sleep. So you start by going to bed a little earlier. You minimize time on your device in the hour before bed. You create a bedtime routine that works for you (and your family) and you stick with it. 

Or you want to eat healthier. You start by swapping your vending machine mid-afternoon snack for fruit or veggies. Then you limit eating out at fast food restaurants. You meal plan 2-3 times a week. You start feeling less lethargic and more energetic as you make healthy choices for most of your meals. It starts becoming more of a routine.

Or maybe you want to move your body every day. So you start with a 10-minute walk after dinner. Then you increase it to 30 minutes. Then you invite other family members to explore a new trail. You find a weekly yoga or dance class. Before you know it, you’re active every day. 

All because you started with small steps and stayed consistent. 

These actions become how you spend your days, and that in turn becomes how you spend your months and your years. 

These actions are much more likely to help you feel energized, balanced, and joyful than if you stick with the current routine of 5-minute dog walks, late nights binge-watching Netflix, and eating on the go. 

That small step that felt like it wouldn’t matter builds momentum. Because you mastered one healthy keystone habit, you naturally want to do more things that feel good.

You’re sleeping better giving you more energy to move your body. 

You want to fuel your body for your workouts, so you make healthier food choices. 

You’re being social with friends and family, which helps you relax and deal with stress better.

Together these tiny healthy habits lay a strong foundation for an extraordinary life. 

Your daily choices and daily routines really do shape your overall life experience. 

So, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” 

You only get one life, there are no do-overs.  

Why wait to create the extraordinary life you've always dreamed of? 

The time to transform your story is now. 

Transforming your life isn't about massive, overwhelming changes. It's about taking small, consistent steps that build momentum and create lasting transformation.

If you want to do it right and make these habits a natural part of your daily routine, join Burnout to Bliss today.

Designed around the power of keystone habits, you’ll experience a ripple effect of positive changes across your life. Whether it's improving your sleep, incorporating movement, or planning nourishing meals for your family, you'll be guided in making these changes sustainable and achievable.

Burnout to Bliss’ three-phase approach - Awareness and Assessment, Recovery and Renewal, and Healthy Habit Formation - is built on the philosophy that extraordinary lives are created through small, intentional actions. 

You’ll be supported in taking those first steps, celebrating your progress, and gradually expanding your comfort zone, so you can create the extraordinary life you've always dreamed of.

Ready to build your strong healthy habit foundation? 

Click here to learn more and enroll in my signature program, Burnout to Bliss.