I recently saw a woman on Facebook post, "I'm not in the best shape, but I want to prove to myself I can do something that seems insurmountable and inspire others by showing them no matter where they are on their fitness journey, they can do it, too." Seeing this inspired me..big time. I'm not 100% positive, but I think the saying goes a little something like this:
What you think, you become. What you do, you are.
For November, I wanted to dive into a topic that I think everyone struggles with, regardless of where they are at in life. Lets be real for a minute, we all struggle with insecurities and lack of confidence. I've had chicken legs my whole life. I legitimately don't know if there is a single thing on this earth that I could fix (I'm trying to tell you that I'm the least "handy" person you will ever meet.) I can't end a conversation to save my life (Ask any of my friends. I'll leave you feeling awkward almost every time I try to end a phone call.) But enough about me, let’s tackle this together.
Confidence isn’t some magic dust we can sprinkle on top of our heads and BAM all of a sudden we are confident. More importantly, confidence is NOT a result of being good, great, or even the best at anything. We can’t say that in order to get results you need to be confident first and then turnaround and also say you get confidence only after you get results. If that was the case, no one would start their health journey which means no one would ever get results.
You might be reading this and can think back to various times in your life where something happened to you or someone said something to you and it really took a shot at your confidence. Maybe you’ve never regained it. I feel for you, but it’s time to let it go. Yes, that’s hard but let’s start small.
I talk to people all the time who work out inconsistently, and they often say that they aren't confident enough to step into 1031 Fitness yet. Do they mean they don’t believe we can help them lose 20 pounds? Or is it that they don't think they can stick to a program for, let’s say, 12 weeks? Or do they mean they just aren’t good enough to reach the end goal they wish for? I’m not sure, but I do know this - confidence has nothing to do with thinking about some end result. Don’t focus on the future outcome. That’s too daunting. Thinking about the outcome is not where you’ll find confidence.
You’ll find confidence by focusing on what you can do today to help push the flywheel a little more in your favor. Being honest with yourself and knowing that you’re starting at point A and the best that you can do is the best that you can do today at point A. Let go of point B, C, D and E. You’re at A. What can you do today to move the needle? Do your best at that thing today.
When you start listing the reasons why you’re not confident, cross out any that are in the past or far off into the future. Cross out everything that is outside of your control TODAY.
So, that leaves you with the things that you can actually control. Tell yourself you can only commit to the next 24 hours. You’re not looking for ultimate victory today. You’re just going to make the best choices that will help you move the needle a little more to the right. You’re going to give the flywheel another solid push today. Then, tomorrow, you’re going to do your best again. Don’t think about the 20 pound weight loss goal. Think about the breakfast that you can eat today that will best help you take a step closer to being healthier by lunch time.
Believe me. If you eat a better breakfast today, it’ll help you make a better decision for lunch, then dinner. I hear the flywheel named Confidence. It’s starting to move.
I get sad seeing awesome, amazing people struggling with “confidence” every day. So let me close with a little tough love. You’re an adult now. You get to decide what your story is, no one else. Not your extended family members. Not your ex’s. Not your co-workers or boss. YOU get to be the hero, the star of your life. Be nice to yourself and write the best damn story you can think of. Don't wait until January 1. Now is the perfect time to pick up the pencil.
Austin Teel
austin@1031fitness.com
(309)292-1993