Overcoming "Any reason will do" syndrome
A funny thing happened on the way to the workout. I forgot to go.
I wanted to go.... I planned to go.....I was gonna go....
But I just didn't.
I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it. We just didn't quite get to the workout.
This post is about why some of us get there, and why some of us don't.
The curious thing about sweaty old Boxout is once people actually "get there" - once they show up - they love it. You can see their eyes light up when they plant that cracking left hook on the pads. Then they walk out like they've won a unanimous points decision in a world title fight - a high that can last for days.
So it seems to be just the thought of nasty old exercise that keeps people away. I call it "awfulising" - projecting worst case scenarios. And what exactly is so "awful" ?
The king of them all is our old favorite - fear of failure. Or to be more precise -
the fantasy of failure. And it is a fantasy - because at our studio there is no failure.
In 10 + years of running classes, not one person who ever showed up "failed". The fact that they made it there, means they succeeded. Once you get there you CANNOT fail. Showing up = Success.
But the fantasy of failure, although make believe, remains a powerful foe in many peoples' minds. They believe that others in the group are fitter, stronger and more skilled. So they stay at home.
So it's in the thinking on the way, where the workout wheels fall off. The failure fantasy morphs into another insidious mind game called "any reason will do" syndrome.
"Any reason will do" syndrome is a game I reckon we all play in at least one area of our lives. I don't do it with fitness, but I use it to kid myself with other stuff.
Here are the 3 examples of Any Reason Will Do Syndrome we find in the world of getting fit.
1. The Rain Reason - Despite the class being indoors, if there's even a sprinkle of rain - that's a darn good reason to stay at home and watch Desperate Housewives.
2. The Short Week Reason - In the week before (and after) Easter - or any public holiday - you can fire a cannon in most fitness studios and gyms. Why ? Becuase it's a short week, of course.
3. The After Wednesday Reason - The guilt-inspired Monday Night is the biggest workout night of all, followed by Tue then Wed. From Wednesday onwards having a workout slides off many a calender - with anyone crazy enough to hold a Friday class, destined to be as empty as a drum.
The Saturday 9AM Boxout class has bucked this (post wednesday) trend.
How ? - a great bunch of super motivated fitness boxers - that's how !
If you are readers of this blog - you are a member and you have committed to your fitness more than most - so you more than likely are getting to class, or have found your own fitness training outside the ring.
But we all go through times when we fall out of the groove and into a rut. See the "reasons" for what they are - a slippery shadow boxer, plotting to bring you down.
Counter this foe, by hooking up with a partner - and showing up this week, rain or shine.
If you do that, you cannot fail.
In your corner,
Patrick
ps -
I am holding my 45 minute inspirational talk for free 10 times - in companies and community groups in May & June.It is my "back from the brink" story called Diamonds in the Debris and talks about stress, survival and thriving in tough times.
I have held it 5 times - so another 5 more times for free. If your company or group is interested in having me talk at your office for free, have a look at www.DanceintheRain.com.au for my story - then maybe we can have a chat.
I wanted to go.... I planned to go.....I was gonna go....
But I just didn't.
I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it. We just didn't quite get to the workout.
This post is about why some of us get there, and why some of us don't.
The curious thing about sweaty old Boxout is once people actually "get there" - once they show up - they love it. You can see their eyes light up when they plant that cracking left hook on the pads. Then they walk out like they've won a unanimous points decision in a world title fight - a high that can last for days.
So it seems to be just the thought of nasty old exercise that keeps people away. I call it "awfulising" - projecting worst case scenarios. And what exactly is so "awful" ?
The king of them all is our old favorite - fear of failure. Or to be more precise -
the fantasy of failure. And it is a fantasy - because at our studio there is no failure.
In 10 + years of running classes, not one person who ever showed up "failed". The fact that they made it there, means they succeeded. Once you get there you CANNOT fail. Showing up = Success.
But the fantasy of failure, although make believe, remains a powerful foe in many peoples' minds. They believe that others in the group are fitter, stronger and more skilled. So they stay at home.
So it's in the thinking on the way, where the workout wheels fall off. The failure fantasy morphs into another insidious mind game called "any reason will do" syndrome.
"Any reason will do" syndrome is a game I reckon we all play in at least one area of our lives. I don't do it with fitness, but I use it to kid myself with other stuff.
Here are the 3 examples of Any Reason Will Do Syndrome we find in the world of getting fit.
1. The Rain Reason - Despite the class being indoors, if there's even a sprinkle of rain - that's a darn good reason to stay at home and watch Desperate Housewives.
2. The Short Week Reason - In the week before (and after) Easter - or any public holiday - you can fire a cannon in most fitness studios and gyms. Why ? Becuase it's a short week, of course.
3. The After Wednesday Reason - The guilt-inspired Monday Night is the biggest workout night of all, followed by Tue then Wed. From Wednesday onwards having a workout slides off many a calender - with anyone crazy enough to hold a Friday class, destined to be as empty as a drum.
The Saturday 9AM Boxout class has bucked this (post wednesday) trend.
How ? - a great bunch of super motivated fitness boxers - that's how !
If you are readers of this blog - you are a member and you have committed to your fitness more than most - so you more than likely are getting to class, or have found your own fitness training outside the ring.
But we all go through times when we fall out of the groove and into a rut. See the "reasons" for what they are - a slippery shadow boxer, plotting to bring you down.
Counter this foe, by hooking up with a partner - and showing up this week, rain or shine.
If you do that, you cannot fail.
In your corner,
Patrick
ps -
I am holding my 45 minute inspirational talk for free 10 times - in companies and community groups in May & June.It is my "back from the brink" story called Diamonds in the Debris and talks about stress, survival and thriving in tough times.
I have held it 5 times - so another 5 more times for free. If your company or group is interested in having me talk at your office for free, have a look at www.DanceintheRain.com.au for my story - then maybe we can have a chat.
Comment
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Comment by Emma Ford on April 20, 2009 at 10:58pm - Great comments in this statement and all so very true. Funnily enough I'm not coming to the Tuesday class this week as I'm going to a gig in the city and that is a real excuse not to go not a 'any reason will do' excuse. You know I love your classes and yes they do make me feel so good. Look forward to Saturday class where I'll work even harder due to missing Tuesday. You continue to inspire. Take care Em.
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