Find creative ways to motivate yourself to reach your goals. Whether you respond to motivational quotes, stories, speeches, video clips, or music…our world is full of such inspirational tools. Find those that propel you forward and use them. Remember, success is a process, not a destination.
 Many of you have heard the quote, often attributed to Henry Ford, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.” Although I was unable to find a definitive source citing those profound words to Mr. Ford, I still find myself struck by their simple truth and timeless power.
Here’s a simple exercise in mindfulness as it pertains to your inner voice and what it is that you tell yourself regarding your successes and / or failures. Over the next several days, when performing tasks, whether it be things at work, your fitness routine, cleaning your house, interacting with your significant other (which can be a real chore in itself for some of you) take a mental note of how you’re feeling about the task. Are you feeling excited about it, or down on it? Then, poll yourself to ascertain just what type of things you’re saying to yourself at that moment and you may find yourself surprised to see this impressive correlation at work. Common thoughts people say to themselves regarding tasks might be: “This is stupid!” “This is a waste of time!” “I can’t run that far” “I can’t lift that much” “He never helps” “She’s always bitching about something” “This is so hard” and I can go on and on for days, but you get the picture. Now, contrast the same tasks you imagined as your read the previous thought-quotes with these more positive thoughts: “It’s so different that it just might work” “I’m here, I might as well give it a shot” “I will not quit” “This is the strongest I’ve ever felt” “Whether he helps or not, I’m just glad it’s clean” “She fusses a little from time to time, but I love her” “I’ve got this” can you feel the internal power shift from one set of thoughts to the next? It’s amazing how that works. After you learn to hear when you’re using self-defeating rhetoric internally, begin reframing the thoughts with words that are more conducive to pushing you forward than holding your back. It works!  The latest trend in Hollywood is the making of fairy tales into feature films. Nothing is off limits…Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Jack and the Flipping Beanstalk…they're filming them all! I fully expect this year’s July 4th, summer blockbuster to be the tale of a vampire named Goldilocks who stumbles across the home of 3 werewolves, and falls asleep in their beds. Shame on you Hollywood for producing such garbage...and shame on me for paying to see every one of them. But hey, I have young sons that are into that stuff…I can blame it on them.
My moonlighting as a movie critic aside, this morning I encourage you to embrace your own bit of magic – in particular, the magic of Mondays. Mondays have a special kind of enchantment. Sure, it means we have to go back to work; it’s the start of the weekly grind and all of that. Yet, Mondays possess another, more important quality - an innate magic in the sense that they inherently deliver us the promise of a fresh start. Each new week that promise renews itself, and subconsciously we're uniquely conditioned to it. Use that magic today to resurrect your goals from the dead! Do you need to focus? Refocus? Begin a new project, or begin again on an existing one? Monday is just the magical place where such things are possible. Forget about past failures. Shake off your previous shaky starts – and start fresh. Start with a renewed sense of purpose. Start today! As always - I believe in you...I hope you do too! It's important to stay active! Try to mix-up your workout routines to keep your mind fresh and your body guessing. We've just added a free 10 - minute workout routine to our 'Downloads' page that incorporates Cardio kickboxing & Abs work. We know you'll enjoy it!
Try it today! http://www.fireandheart.com/exercise-routines.html Here are (5) tips that will help you survive the physical drain of the holidays on your fitness.
The Ten Minute Workout At some point during your day steal away 10 minutes to do a series of basic exercises, one after the other without taking a break. (i.e. Repeat four sets of 10 reps of: Jumping-jacks, Push-ups, Sit-ups, and Squats) This will get your heart rate going and provide some muscle toning. The most important thing a 10-min workout provides is a consistent, daily fitness habit for your mind and body. Consistency is the key! Add or exchange exercises as you see fit. Grow the workout until you can do 10 sets of 10 reps. When you reach that goal, add as many as 20 reps of each exercise. (Download a free 10-minute exercise routine) The Shopper’s Deal Make a deal with yourself: when you go to a mall, Target, Wal-Mart, or whatever shopping center you frequent, commit to 15 - 30-minutes of uninterrupted, brisk walking before you allow yourself to shop. No one even has to know that you’re working out! J Also, don’t search for the close parking spots; park far away and walk to and from at a brisk pace. Ask Santa for a Trainer For anyone that can afford a personal trainer, Christmas is a great time to get a good deal on a package. Think of it this way, all of the actors, actresses, & athletes over whose bodies we marvel all have personal trainers. It’s simple, if your fitness is important to you, and you can afford it – you’ll want to hire a coach. Check your local gym, or do a Google search for “personal training”. Many will work in the privacy of your own home, or meet you at a gym. Use our “Ask a Coach” link for help if you have any ?’s. Make It A Family Affair Walk the neighborhood together for 30 – 45 minutes. Make it a competition with your spouse, sibling, child, or whomever you can. Compare minutes per day, minutes per week, fastest times, or whatever makes it fun. Remember these Golden Rules of Fitness 1) You have to burn approximately 3500 calories to lose one pound. 2) Quick, easy fixes don’t work, YOU just have to! 3) Know that as soon as you start, your subconscious avoidance of work is going to find an unlimited amount of excuses for you to quit within 1 – 2 weeks. Be ready for it and don’t give in. 4) When you feel like you want to workout the least, that’s when your drive needs to kick in the most! Don’t even begin the negotiations with yourself (trust me, you’ll lose). Just stick to your routine. You can do it, and you are worth it. Good luck! 2011 Affinity Coaching Solutions All Rights Reserved |
AuthorDamon is a Personal Development Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and Self-Improvement Hypnotist in the D/FW area of North TX. ArchivesCategories |
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