The Decision That Started It All: December 31, 2022

Health, Fitness & Lifestyle · The Non-Negotiable 20™

On December 31, 2022, I made a personal decision: I was going to do some kind of physical fitness every single day.

Not yardwork. Not cleaning the house. True physical fitness — a hike, a brisk walk, a Peloton ride, mountain biking, yoga, strength training. The specific activity didn’t matter. The daily part did.

I told myself: I can find 20 minutes. No excuses.

And I meant no excuses. No internal dialogue, no negotiating. No “I’m too busy.” No “I already worked out a few times this week, so I’m good.” No “But I have an early flight.” No “I’m sick with the flu.” No “I have a torn meniscus.” None of it.

I can do 20 minutes of physical fitness. That was the whole deal.

What happened next surprised me

In 2023, I raised my own floor to a minimum of 30 minutes — not because the rule required it, but because the habit had grown into something my body naturally wanted more of. (The minimum I recommend is still 20. Start there. Let it grow if it wants to.)

I’ve become stronger — physically and mentally. And the ripple effects reached places I didn’t expect. When you’re healthy and you maintain a consistent workout routine, your performance and success in business improve. I’m a better person to the people I love. And I’ve been able to stack other goals on top of this one foundation.

It’s truly been life-changing. Some days I get downright high on the adrenaline.

What it actually built

Here’s the part I didn’t see coming when I made that first decision. Those daily twenty minutes weren’t just twenty minutes. They were quietly building something.

They built the physical capacity for things I couldn’t have done before — hiking, backpacking miles into the wilderness and the desert, carrying a heavy pack over rocky terrain. I’m not in that kind of shape by accident. I’m in it because I showed up, every day, for years. The big adventures didn’t make me fit. The daily habit made me ready for the adventures.

And it built something even more valuable than fitness: confidence, and a whole new identity. Every day I kept my word to myself, I added to the evidence that I’m someone who does hard things and follows through. That identity is what lets me shoulder the pack and trust I can finish. The daily 20 came first. Everything else grew out of it.

Your turn

So here’s the question I’ll leave you with: What can you commit to every day? Where do you want change in your life?

Make a plan. Decide once. Then take today’s 20 minutes.

That’s the Non-Negotiable 20™.

(And just in case you’re curious — a good instructor-led ride can make the time fly. Find the workout that makes you forget you’re watching the clock, and the daily part gets a whole lot easier.)

Tana Hutchinson writes and speaks about building a daily movement habit and taking ownership of your life — one twenty-minute decision at a time. To learn more or schedule with Tana, visit nonnegotiable20.com.

This content is for informational and inspirational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new exercise or wellness program. Non-Negotiable 20™ is a trademark of Tana Hutchinson.