Working Out, Water, and A Winning Mindset
Over the past year, I've been on a journey to improve my physical health. Despite once leading an active lifestyle, I found myself neglecting self-care as I immersed myself in business ventures. A moment of self-reflection revealed the discrepancy between my teachings of discipline and my actions.
Realizing the need for change, I committed to prioritizing my health once again. It's been a journey of rewiring habits, reclaiming balance, and aligning actions with values. My aim is not just physical well-being but also authenticity and leading by example.
I had tried off and on to lose weight, build muscle, and lead a more healthy and active lifestyle, but for one reason or another, it never seemed to stick. This time, however, it's different. And I can pinpoint the difference in two key factors:
- I asked for help from someone who knows what they're doing and
- I worked diligently on fostering a winning mindset.
Because sports have always been such a big part of my life, I know the value of having a good coach. While each individual may have a specific skill set and talent that will lead a team to victory, the coach is the one who expertly orchestrates their collective efforts, transforming individual potential into a unified force for success. A good coach is more than just a strategist; they are a mentor, motivator, and visionary leader.
When I finally realized that I wasn't going to meet my goals on my own, I found an incredible personal trainer that I trust and respect. This guy is dedicated to physical fitness, and it is so clear that he loves what he does. Not only does he encourage me to get up for early morning workouts before a very busy day (and bug me all day to drink more water) but he finds ways to motivate me throughout the week and celebrates all of my successes, no matter how small.
We are not meant to do life or business alone. We are social creatures that depend on one another and are at our best when we are in community with those who share our visions and values. When we're stuck, the best thing we can do is find someone who has done what we want to do. It can be humbling to ask for help or support, but it's better than pretending like you know what you're doing and not making any progress. For me, this experience has solidified the idea that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The second thing that has made all the difference in my progress has been the shift in my mindset. While developing a growth mindset is not a new idea for me, it does take work to put it into practice. I can get up on the stage all day long and tell people about how important it is to repeat their daily affirmations, to limit negative self-talk, and to not let their past experiences define them, but I'll be honest and say that it's not always easy to put these fundamentals into practice.
As I embarked on my fitness journey, I paid closer attention to what I was thinking about, and the excuses that I was making, and reminded myself about the power of consistency, accountability, and persistence. I started to pay more attention to what I was thankful for, I envisioned myself fitting into the clothes that had been too tight for a while, or looking in the mirror and feeling that confidence that I had been lacking. When I saw each meal and each workout as an opportunity to get better instead of a grueling chore, it changed everything.
I don't know what you're struggling with today, but I do know this: growth, change, and progress all take time. They also require reaching out for help when you need it and changing the way you talk to and about yourself and your goals.
