During a 7-hour road-trip back home with my wife a couple of days ago, something on the highway caught my attention.

Going westbound on Interstate-70 between St. Louis and Kansas City, I noticed the words on a large digital display on the highway. It flashed: 645 deaths on Missouri roads this year. 67% unbuckled.

As I saw those numbers, they got me thinking. 67% of 645.
That's roughly 432 people.

I'm certain some of these 432 deaths could have been prevented if those people had been wearing their seat belts.

Soon, I began to wonder why some people don't wear seat belts when in a moving vehicle. My mind strolled to a manager I had about 15 years ago. He was one of those who did not wear seat belts. I think he made him feel less macho.

I've heard so many excuses for not wearing a seat belt.

It's uncomfortable.
It doesn't fit because I'm too large.
It makes me feel restrained.
I may get stuck in a crashed car.

I chuckle at that last excuse because you're more likely to die in a crash without a seat belt. So, I would think getting stuck when in a crash should be the least of anyone's worries.

Many of these people do not deny the life-saving benefits of wearing a seat belt, but they have their reasons for not strapping themselves in. With those reasons (I think they're just excuses), they put their own lives at risk.

Same goes for anyone who knows the right things to do to live a thriving and flourishing life. They know and understand the immense benefits of changing their thinking and their behaviors. They're just not willing to do it; and they have seemingly good reasons too. With those reasons, they put their lives (and their careers, in particular) at risk.

Is that you? Are you taking such a risk?

Just imagine how much better your life and your relationships would be, if you put to practice even 10% of what you know you ought to be doing. It could be the difference between thriving and just getting by.

So, I ask you - Are you willing to do what is necessary? Don't be a casualty on life's highway just because you're unwilling to do what you know you should be doing.

Step up to the plate and act now.