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This is something my gal pal, Autumn, always tells me. I mean, she doesn’t text or call me, and she’s really only my friend in my mind, but nevertheless, I hear her say this all the time. Autumn Calabrese is the creator, and instructor, of the fitness program 80 Day Obsession. At some point in time, I will go on and on about my love for this and other Beachbody programs, but today's focus is on not quitting when it gets hard – not just in a workout, but IN LIFE!! (If you happen to have done 80DO, you’ll get this reference and can probably hear Autumn’s voice in your head as you read it 😉 You’re welcome.)
What Autumn is getting at here is that if you give up in the moments when you don’t feel like doing something, you’ll cut yourself short of the incredible results you might discover if you would have kept going.
If I stop doing a workout move after 8 reps because I’m getting tired, I lose out on those last 2 reps. If I do that with every move, I end up missing out on 20% of the workout (look! I can do math!). If I let myself give up each time I feel uncomfortable, I never challenge myself. And if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Before I know it, I've quit the program. Not only would I be disappointed in myself, but I would also still be miles from my goal. This sounds hypothetical, but I’ve done this with PLENTY of programs in the past. I’m sure you can think of an example or two of the times you’ve quit on yourself too.
If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.
What goal are you working on right now? Is it fitness related? Maybe you want to finish 80 Day Obsession or some other program? Maybe you want to be able to curl 20-pound weights? Maybe you are trying to gain more clients for your business or surpass a certain dollar amount in revenue? Maybe you want to become more engaged with your significant other or your children? Maybe you want to learn how to play the piano? Or maybe you want to make a habit of meditating for 20 minutes every day?
I know this may come as a surprise, but the goal I’ve been working on is to create an impactful blog. At the time of me writing this, I haven’t published this blog yet. Like getting started on pretty much any goal, it can be overwhelming. I’m no web expert, so I’m currently learning about WordPress and plugins and all the things involved in creating a website. At the same time, while I consider myself an okay writer, putting together a cohesive article takes practice.
Typing this right now feels like a baby trying to stand up for the first time. Wobbly. Uncertain. Naive.
Approximately 82 times I’ve had the urge today to power down this computer and retreat back to the comfortable world of Hallmark Channel movies. Boy, do I love me some Hallmark! But, if I don’t push my discomfort aside and finish this post (and then write another one, and another one, and hit publish on my domain, etc.), then I will never get to that goal of creating an impactful blog.
Maybe you’re not actively pursuing anything at the moment, but I’m willing to bet there is something stirring in your heart that is whispering (or screaming) for you to go all-in for. Grab a notebook, a piece of printer paper, or the envelope you pulled your credit card bill out of yesterday and write down your goal. Now, write down five actionable steps you can take in the next few weeks to get you closer to that goal.
For example, if your goal is to learn how to knit (something I want to focus on in the future!), maybe you write down:
- Read 3 blog posts about knitting for beginners to help figure out where to start
- Discover what size needles I need
- Purchase needles & yarn (if we’re still under COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, hopefully, you’re ordering online and not going to a store!)
- Watch YouTube videos of casting on
- Learn how to cast on
Then, DO IT! Challenge yourself to complete all five things within a certain period of time. Then, go for five more – again and again until you’re crushing your goal!
Of course, give yourself grace if you struggle. Oftentimes going after a new goal requires you to create new habits, which take time to form. But please, please, please… don’t quit. You owe it to yourself to chase down your goals. You owe it to yourself to live the life of your dreams.
Don’t quit when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done. Then, look around at the beautiful life you’ve created.