Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Perception - How is it helping or hindering your success?

‎"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny." - Upanishads

Perception is a very important component of exercise that often gets overlooked. In order to truly get a handle on achieving your goals, it's important to understand how the perception you have of fitness, and of yourself, effects your actions.

The most common statements I hear when first consulting with clients is, "I am not a fitness person." Or, "I used to be athletic as a kid, but I've lost that now that I'm grown."

While it's true that there are people who have a natural talent for their chosen sport, fitness is not a state of being, it's a result of action, and you have to act in order to be fit. 

Anyone can become fit. Success is achieved when you start to recognize what is holding you back and take action to propel yourself forward.

Our perceptions are so deeply ingrained in our belief system, that we frequently mistake them for truths. The first step to unlocking our perceptions is recognizing them. 

Pay close attention to the  stories you tell yourself about what it means to be fit. Do you think of fitness as a way to stay healthy, strong and energized, or do you think of it as a vanity for appearance only? How does your family view fitness? Was and is it an important part of family life, or is it  something that "other families" do, but not your own? How about among your siblings? It's not uncommon for families to delegate roles to their various members. How often have you heard, or said, "I was the smart one, my sister was the pretty one, and my brother was the jock?" While all of these statements may have been your experience, they're not rooted in fact, and they're subject to change. 

As you go through your workout, or even as you contemplate working out while doing other things, pay close attention to the thoughts that follow. You may find yourself surprised by the messages that you unveil.  In life, your options are limitless. Take charge of your thoughts and allow your dreams to become your reality!