POINT TO PONDER
“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
-William Shakespeare
STORYLINE by Rajiv Shah
As a professional personal trainer, the beginning of the year is often the busiest. Sign ups for gym membership increase, trainers litter gym floors introducing recently new clients to their programs, and good intentions are at a fevered pitch.
“I want to lose 15 pounds,” says one client.
“I want to fit back into my bikini by summer,” says another.
“At least 2 inches have to come off my waist.”
“I just want to look buffer.”
Sound familiar? Then what happens? Clients throw themselves into training at a frantic pace, force themselves to diet rigorously, and by mid-March or sooner, they have abandoned their goals altogether.
Then there's the gadget fads that never seem to die out. The AB-roller, the shake weight, slimming belts, diet pills, and the list goes on and on. I get asked questions all the time about which new tool is the most effective, to which I respond, “hard work and perseverance.”
REFLECTION
You are accountable for your destiny. Procrastination is a killer. It feeds on your fears and stops you before you even start. Push through it this year.
As a personal trainer I hear excuses all the time. I'm too busy, I'm too tired, or eventually the kiss of death, "I don't believe this is meant for me anymore." All these reasons not to do it and yet we go on complaining about our weight and health, ultimately making excuses for why it isn't happening.
Fitness is just one example of this mode of thought, but it is prevalent in other areas of our life as well. Whether it be starting that new business, writing that novel you've had on your mind, or taking that trip that's long overdue.
What I find works - for the clients that do lose the weight (and keep it off), who feel healthy, and get the results - is simple but not easy. It takes an acknowledgement of the fears and judgement, to show up anyway, put in the work, find positive associations to the work, and keep showing up. Slowly, successful clients adjust their diet - at a pace they can handle, often in small increments - and eventually they get results.The results come when you put in the work and they last when you skip the shortcuts.
Ultimately, it's up to you. Take your destiny into your own hands in 2012 and stop waiting for tomorrow. If you want something, go after it. There is no other time but now.
"I get asked questions all the time about which new tool is the most effective, to which I respond, “hard work and perseverance.”
So True.
Posted by: Anand | January 06, 2012 at 12:21 AM
I guess for many, deciding on a goal that is worth committing maybe the hardest part. But those who show up at Rajiv's probably had got that one at least. Then, I think the way to beat this comes down to 3 simple principles:
1) Breaking down the larger goals into small, digestible bits (x laps a day; x km a week; no more than x desserts in a week, etc.);
2) Scheduling WHEN in the day or week this will get done. Not enough to just promise yourself that you would like to do it.
3) Make sure it is fun. (Find ways to make it enjoyable: sign up for a local race/competition, schedule rewards after practice, listen to music or audio books while training, recruit a friend/team, etc.) Unless you enjoy the process of attaining a goal, it probably won't happen.
I'm not a pro sports buff, but I like this quote: "It's not the will to win that matters— everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters." — Paul "Bear" Bryant
Posted by: microCEO | January 06, 2012 at 12:53 AM
A good reminder… thanks for sharing
Posted by: BH | January 06, 2012 at 07:14 AM