Choose the right size change
Hey!
I want to share with you about behavior change, and about making it happen at the right pace for you right now.
I also want to share that this is something I, as a coach, have recently adopted in its best form. I’m always learning and growing and trying to become better for those who choose to work with me. I’ve always tried to coach with this mindset, but I haven’t been willing to take it to the extreme that I’m about to share because I felt that I would be failing my clients. This was a mindset shift for me, as well.
Behavior change is so difficult. Stop pretending it isn’t.
I want you to start thinking of the “size” change that you choose to focus on the same way that you think of a glove.
Imagine that you go to some yard clean up day, are getting ready to fight your first MMA match, just whatever jumps out at you that you would need gloves for. Now let’s say that you grab a pair and they are way too big. Assuming that all of the other sizes are still available, you’ll probably put those back and get a smaller size that fits you. Maybe you have tiny baby hands and have to find the smallest size and roll them up. Who cares? They fit, and those are the ones you need in order to do the job without it being super awkward.
I want you to think of change this way.
Listen, I know your co-worker or friend or cousin or whoever made up their mind that “enough was enough,” made some drastic changes, and dropped a bunch of weight or added a bunch of muscle in what seems like a short amount of time. We all have things we are good at, and realistically, most of us are not good at quick, drastic change. Some are, and props to them, but don’t try to be the anomaly. Accept that you need to take this at your pace, even if that pace seems ridiculously slow, and you will stop being so paralyzed by fear of huge changes.
Let’s do a little exercise here. Think about the plan you’re trying to stick to, or one you’ve tried before. As an example, let’s say that you were trying to do a 3x a week workout plan. Right now, ask yourself “On a scale of 1-10, how likely am I to stick to that?” Not SHOULD you stick to it. Not CAN you stick to it. WILL you stick to it. If it’s not at least an 8, scrap it and find something that you can get an 8-10 on.
Let’s say the three workouts per week is a 4 on the scale. You know that you’re extremely unlikely to do it. Does two times a week seem like a 6-7? Throw that out too. One time? 8? Okay. Let’s shoot for that.
Does going to the gym at all seem like a 6? Literally make your step driving to the gym on your workout day with your gear packed and sitting there. If you leave, you’ve met your step. You’ve committed. But you know what, eventually, you’ll be in the right mood and have the right song playing and have the right amount of caffeine, and you’ll go in that gym. Maybe you’ll turn around and leave, or maybe you’ll workout. Either way, you’ll have just made progress again.
Whatever it is, find your 8-10. Don’t let anyone say that’s stupid. Don’t let anyone say it’s pitiful. I don’t care what your friends or family or coworkers or judgemental acquaintance or anyone else says. I care about you taking charge of your health and fitness at the pace and in the way that works for you. You have to stop going all or nothing. You have to stop trying to emulate the success of others. You know yourself. Now pick a step, no matter how silly it may seem, and do it until you are ready to step up to the next one.
And if you need help, or you’d like a coach who used this philosophy, message me and let’s chat.
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