I have mentioned in the past that I have become obsessed with different things, and they have turned into my identity.

I never wanted that to happen again, so I have been working to better myself. I have been reading and listening to podcasts, trying to become the best Christian, dad, husband, and man that I can be. A current book I am reading, if you want to give it a try, is Look Again by Tim Tebow. I also enjoy the Nick Bare Podcast if you are looking for something to listen to.

While listening to Nick Bare’s podcast, I came across something that struck me and stuck with me. There is a difference between being all consumed and being all in.

Being all consumed means it is all you can think about. It takes over every part of your day and your life. It becomes who you are. That is not always healthy and should be reserved for a few things.

Being all in is different. You still give it everything you have, but it does not take over your entire life. You schedule your time around it, you attack it, you get it done, and then you move on. It makes you better for the rest of the people and things around you.

I have gone all in on bettering myself with diet, lifting, and running. I wake up at 3:30, get what I need to get done, and then move on with my day. I schedule this around being a dad. I get up early so I can still have that early morning time with Beau. Then I do not open that compartment of my mind again until the next morning, when I do it all over again.

Doing this clears my mind and allows me to be the best dad, husband, son, employee, and leader that I can be right now. It also sets me up to do the same in the future.

I am all in on a few things so that I can truly be all in. There are only so many things I can give that level of focus to if I want to be my best. Taking care of myself, my work, and my friendships are what I am working hardest to be all in on.

Now I am consumed by three things. I think there are only a few things in life that it is healthy to be consumed by, and for me, those are being a Christian, being a husband, and being a dad. These are my identity. They are what I think about all day and night. I want to be at my best for them at all times.

Then I thought a little deeper. What you are all in on should point you in the right direction and help you become better at the things you are all consumed by.

For example, being all in on lifting and running helps me be the best dad I can be. It clears my mind and allows me to be fully present with my family once I am done. I also want to be rolling around on the floor, scooping up my son, and carrying him for as long as I possibly can.

Being all in on work allows you to provide, lead, and build a stable life for the people you are all consumed with. When you handle your responsibilities the right way, it frees you up to be fully present and at your best for your family and your faith.

Being all in on friendships helps you do what God commanded and love one another just as He loves us. It teaches you to care for others and be there for them.

I tell you this because I wish I would have learned it earlier. If something is important to you, you will make time for it and prioritize it. Anyone can do it. If you put your mind to something and commit to it, you can get it done.

So my friends, be all in on what you do, but be all consumed by what truly matters. Choose what you do with the intention of becoming better.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:2