One of the many books I had to read while completing my degree was "The Psychology of Winning" by Dr. Dennis Waitley. My professor for the course made it a point to speak about this topic and passage during class. Now that I am in the middle of cleaning up my place, I noticed that I had a post-it note attached to this particular passage in the text. I re-read the chapter and it got me thinking about my clients and my own fitness plan.... I wanted to share.
Earl Nightingale tells of his visit with his son to the Great Barrier Reef…Noticing that the coral polyps on the inside of the reef, where the sea was tranquil and quiet in the lagoon appeared pale and lifeless…while the coral on the outside of the reef, subject to the surge of the tide and the power of the waves, were bright and vibrant with splendid colors and flowing growth…he asked his guide why this was so.
“It’s very simple,” came the reply, “the coral on the lagoon-side grows rapidly with no challenge for growth and survival…while the coral facing the surge and power of the open sea, thrives and multiplies because it is challenged and tested every day. And so it is with every living organism on earth.”
In life, (sound like Ditka – don’t I?) mistakes, or missed goals are not the enemy; the enemy is boredom and complacency. Without a challenge, it is human nature to stop improving. When we think they are good enough, our motivation to improve declines. This complacency occurs for a whole host of reasons:
We do what the experts tell us to do and list some goals, yet as we are listing them, our mindset is such that these are things that we are really just wishing for. Subconsciously, we honestly do not feel there is a way to achieve those goals.
If we are fortunate to achieve our goal (little black dress by March 1st, lose 15 lbs by my son’s wedding). Cool, but if there are no additional goals we tend to go back to our evil ways and gain the size back - and usually more! We’ve spent all that time and energy reaching a goal and then a few months later we end up being at a worse place than before we even started! Yuk!!! Once we reach the goal, if there are no additional challenges it is human nature to rest on our laurels and become complacent.
If it comes too easy. We set a goal, and reach it without too much trouble or struggle. But down the road we may have to really stretch and work hard for something. If our previous goals were set too low and easily achieved it is quite possible that when we run into to a little resistance, we may not have the strategies, self-confidence or mental wherewithal to overcome that "speed bump". We are like the coral on the quiet side of the lagoon.
I know that it is hard to find the internal motivation regardless of the external circumstances. If you don’t continually reset your goals, even after a successful run, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more complacent. If you have achieved your ultimate goal, set your sights on a higher prize; or, if you are the top dog, do not measure yourself against your peers, raise the bar. Find a challenge, even if you must invent it. There is no such thing as staying the same: you either improve or move ahead or you fall behind. Embrace the challenges and see them as opportunities for growth, not potential setbacks or obstacles.
Til next time….
Earl Nightingale tells of his visit with his son to the Great Barrier Reef…Noticing that the coral polyps on the inside of the reef, where the sea was tranquil and quiet in the lagoon appeared pale and lifeless…while the coral on the outside of the reef, subject to the surge of the tide and the power of the waves, were bright and vibrant with splendid colors and flowing growth…he asked his guide why this was so.
“It’s very simple,” came the reply, “the coral on the lagoon-side grows rapidly with no challenge for growth and survival…while the coral facing the surge and power of the open sea, thrives and multiplies because it is challenged and tested every day. And so it is with every living organism on earth.”
In life, (sound like Ditka – don’t I?) mistakes, or missed goals are not the enemy; the enemy is boredom and complacency. Without a challenge, it is human nature to stop improving. When we think they are good enough, our motivation to improve declines. This complacency occurs for a whole host of reasons:
We do what the experts tell us to do and list some goals, yet as we are listing them, our mindset is such that these are things that we are really just wishing for. Subconsciously, we honestly do not feel there is a way to achieve those goals.
If we are fortunate to achieve our goal (little black dress by March 1st, lose 15 lbs by my son’s wedding). Cool, but if there are no additional goals we tend to go back to our evil ways and gain the size back - and usually more! We’ve spent all that time and energy reaching a goal and then a few months later we end up being at a worse place than before we even started! Yuk!!! Once we reach the goal, if there are no additional challenges it is human nature to rest on our laurels and become complacent.
If it comes too easy. We set a goal, and reach it without too much trouble or struggle. But down the road we may have to really stretch and work hard for something. If our previous goals were set too low and easily achieved it is quite possible that when we run into to a little resistance, we may not have the strategies, self-confidence or mental wherewithal to overcome that "speed bump". We are like the coral on the quiet side of the lagoon.
I know that it is hard to find the internal motivation regardless of the external circumstances. If you don’t continually reset your goals, even after a successful run, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more complacent. If you have achieved your ultimate goal, set your sights on a higher prize; or, if you are the top dog, do not measure yourself against your peers, raise the bar. Find a challenge, even if you must invent it. There is no such thing as staying the same: you either improve or move ahead or you fall behind. Embrace the challenges and see them as opportunities for growth, not potential setbacks or obstacles.
Til next time….
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