If you’ve been reading my blogs for a while, you know I’m all about changing your energy to take yourself to a place that feeds intentional growth.
To grow you need to do the work.
Here are some of the challenges I’ve imposed on myself:
- Quit smoking cold turkey
- Run the Mountain Goat, a 10 mile race
- Eat vegan for 21 days
- Perform 100 push ups without stopping in seven weeks
- 30 Day Yoga Challenge, post double hernia surgery
- Learn Clair de Lune on piano
- Attempt heart pounding hikes
- Obtain my Open Water Diving Certification (SCUBA)
- Boogie to “Moves Like Jagger” in front of strangers
- Write a blog once a week (this is #183)
Now, most of these challenges I crushed. Others, hmm not so much.
I was able to get through the fifth week of the 100 Push Up challenge program. This training grooms you to do 100 push ups in a row without stopping in week seven. I hit the wall after the fifth week and couldn’t get over the hump. As a consolation I can say I did complete 120 push ups in their prescribed eight sets.
Clair de Lune. This is the most challenging piano piece I’ve ever tried to learn. On a positive note, I was able to respectfully play the first 32 measures of the 80 measure arrangement. Why didn’t I succeed? It wasn’t about the teacher nor the piece nor not having enough time. It was all about me. I wasn’t willing to make the sacrifice of dancing on the keyboard for hours and hours and simply, do the work.
The same goes for clients. You’ve got to do the work.
If you:
- Want a better business, you’ve got to focus on where you want to go and do what’s necessary on a consistent basis
- Want to be a better leader, you’ve got to understand how you’re showing up and change your behavior
- If you hate your job, you’ve got to be willing to invest bank and sweat equity to achieve the career of your dreams
There is no “I Dream of Jeannie” solution. You’ve got to wake up, jump in, and do the work!
I shared my 100 push up idea with my new friend Bob. He’s an athletic director. Although push ups are a worthwhile exercise, he said the best thing I could do for my health was to get a hold of a TRX.
Goosebumps started forming on the back of my neck and forearms when he said TRX. I’ve been wanting to purchase one for over a decade! So, I did.
The TRX (btw I have no affiliation with this company) is a body suspension training system that firms the core, strengthens muscle, and burns calories. This new toy is having me perform exercises and work parts of my body in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
You can do these exercises at home, at the park, or throw the lightweight gear in a back pack and take it to another country.
Over the last six months I’ve put on a few pounds and it’s time to do the work to get into the shape I know I’m capable of. Wish me luck!
Photo by JD Hancock.
Hmmm… never pictured you as a smoker 😉 100 push ups is a heck of a lot. I’m still not sure if “moves like jagger” counts as an accomplishment 😉
Ha! If you could have seen where I started and where I ended up, you would have said my dancing was a HUGE accomplishment! 😉
Ok,
I cannot resist. Would love to see that dance posted on your blog next week…..it would be such a motivator!
Someone out there has it on vid.
I still think they were being overly kind with their comments.
Felt good to hear they enjoyed my performance. 😉
Glad to see you here Denise. Thanks.