On Tuesday I wrote about “the magic word” and the power it has in our lives. One of the things we talk about with our clients when we bring them into our gym is mindset. You might be thinking, "Hey coach, as long as I keep showing up and putting in the work, what's going on in my head doesn't really matter, right?" The short answer: it does matter.
The way you perceive what you're doing has a huge impact on how your body responds. Imagine this: your heart rate spikes. Is it because you're scared or anxious about your workout or because you're pumped up and ready to crush your workout? The difference lies in your mindset, in the way you perceive that stimulus.
Your mindset isn't just about positive thinking – it goes way deeper. It affects everything from how you feel during a workout to what hormones are coursing through your body.
So, how do we tackle this mindset stuff? First off, we listen. Pay attention to how you and those around you talk about your training. Your language spills the beans on your mindset. Are you constantly focusing on what's lacking, like saying "Yes, I did this, but..."? Or are you celebrating your wins and progress, saying "Yes, I did this, and..."?
The "yes, but" mindset can sneak in and rob you of your victories. It's all about what's still missing. Most people naturally have a “Yes, but” mindset.
“Yes, I lost 10 pounds, but I’m still 40 pounds overweight.”
“Yes, I can deadlift again, but my back still hurts when I get out of bed.”
“Yes, I beat you in teh workout, but you did Rx and I scaled.”
The “yes, but” mindset is sneaky. It sounds harmless…
It’s not.
“Yes, but” devalues past efforts and progress in favor of maximizing what’s still lacking and feels out of reach.
The “yes, and” mindset is the opposite. It’s where the magic happens. It's about acknowledging your progress and how it's improving your life, both in and out of the gym.
“Yes, and” celebrates past efforts and progress and acknowledges what that progress has given them.
“Yes, I lost 10 pounds, and now I don’t get winded on my stairs anymore.”
“Yes, I can deadlift again, and my back is only achy for 30 minutes in the morning, and I get to enjoy working in my garden again.”
“Yes, I beat you in the workout and I got closer to the Rx workout than I ever have!”
Making this shift might seem small, but trust me, it's a game-changer. Once you see the difference, you won't be able to go back. And the best part? This mindset shift doesn't just affect your workouts – it spills over into every part of your life.
As your coach, my job isn't just about reps and sets. It's about helping you become the best version of yourself, both physically and mentally. To keep you in the consistent, persistent pursuit of your best possible self. To keep you chasing excellence.
You’ve got this! Now go be excellent!
