Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA
Move From Procrastinator to Olympian Level Peak Performer*
Who’s been glued to the 2012 Olympics like sequins on a gymnastic leotard? While watching did you wonder about the mental strength of these athletes as they compete and train? What separates them from us? You know, besides incredible talent, skill, training, youth, dedication, and prowess?
For one, they train their minds as well as their bodies. Instead of being procrastinators — as in “I’ll exercise tomorrow when I am not so hot, tired, busy ( _______ insert excuse here),” — they focus on what they can do in the present moment, no matter how small. You can achieve your fitness goals more effectively by shifting just 5 phrases in your head from “Procrastinator” to “Peak Performer” talk.
On the Procrastinator Phrases team we have the following key players in the starting line-up:
- “I have to do this or that.”
- “Once I can finish the whole activity/ task, I’ll get going.”
- “This is big.”
- “I’ll start as soon as I can do this perfectly.”
- “I should get moving soon…er or later.”
On the Peak Performers team we offer a line-up of winning substitutes
- “I choose to do this or that.”
- “I can at least start.”
- “One small step is all it takes to start.”
- “A rough version is ok for now.”
- “Forget past and future and focus on NOW, just for now.”
Which phrases do you hear inside your head as you plan your workouts? Do you see the different perception of time between the performers and the stallers? Also super important is the perception of yourself as a person ruled externally (I should, I must, I have to) versus self-ruled (I choose, I decide). If you remember one key concept to train your brain to think more like an Olympian it’s to Have Presence in the Present. Focus on the Now. As in, leave a comment below or retweet this post now. Now, there’s a winning approach!
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* Ideas adapted from a presentation on Procrastination and Habits given by Neil Fiore, PhD at Rancho la Puerta Fitness Spa. Thank you Professor Fiore!
The words we use, even in our head, make a huge difference in how we view things, and ultimately, how we do things. Changing our internal view on things makes a huge external difference. Thanks for sharing!
Teaching new exercises to change their mental game is the hardest task a teacher or trainer faces! Thanks for this great article! (I know several people who need to read it…)
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OOOO I love this!! This applies to so many aspects of LIFE beyond the gym. Thanks for sharing!
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family recently posted..Sick Day
Fantastic!!!! Our mind is the biggest muscle to train the positive! I know it – I fight those negative self-talk things each day!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Do You Take Rest Days
Very rightly pointed out.
It all starts up there- in the mind!
Getting yourself to do anything which you dont WANT to is never easy. Be it cleaning the home, getting to exercise, studying, or trying to patch up with an old friend.
It never can be.
Whether you can actually get yourself to do that depends upon how good you are at convincing yourself about the need to do so.
Motivate yourself. Dont look for motivation form outside. Nothing and no one can help you like you yourself can.
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I reposted this on the Glen Ivy wall and someone told me today they got up off the couch and did something for 10 minutes. They said, “It was only 10 minutes, but at least it was a start and it really did work!” Great post fun&fit girls!
Wow, Meg, that is so cool. Thank you for sharing such a rewarding story. That’s what it’s all about. You made my day. Thanks for sharing the post AND the story.
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