Guess what?
Someone always has it easier than you. And someone always has it harder than you.
But also guess what?
It doesn’t MATTER IN THE FREAKING SLIGHTEST.
All you can ever do is work based on your situation, your needs, your goals, your lucky breaks and horrible setbacks.
I don’t say this to be uncaring or unfeeling.
Life can really push us to our breaking points at times.
But the simple fact is, all we can ever do is try to find a way forward if we want results.
As harsh as this sounds, sometimes we need to tell ourselves to stop trying to blame our lack of results or progress on our situation.
The simple fact is…A. We often don’t know what it took for someone else to succeed so trying to “claim” they had it easier is a waste of breath and only holds us back.
And B. Ultimately whether we see everything in our life as a reason NOT to move forward or a reason TO move forward is up to us.
Maybe it’s because I’m openly a control freak, but I love to realize that whether I succeed or fail, or even decide to TRY at something, is my fault.
So tip #1…TAKE OWNERSHIP!
See everything as your “fault” aka give yourself control!
When it’s our fault that means we have the ability and power to make a change.
Sure we can’t stop it from raining, BUT we can control our reaction to the rain. We can skip our run outside or see it as a chance to even just do some mobility work inside while switching our run to the next day.
Realize you can see things as opportunities or obstacles.
And realize that by taking ownership…It’s also your win if you do succeed.
It makes it within your power to at ANY point make a change.
It of course sucks when you do fail. But still…at least you tried and learned and are in control to pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.
Tip #2…Recognize failure is a part of success!
We have to realize that no success is really ever smooth or easy. Success comes from failing and getting back up. From beating your head into a wall repeatedly until you find a way through.
It’s messy and frustrating and sucky AF at times.
But ultimately, no matter our situation, we can choose to embrace this pain or give up.
Everyone had to go through those ups and downs no matter how easy we think they had it.
And honestly, what they had to deal with really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t impact what YOU have to do.
So why compare?
STOP IT!
Realize you are going to go through ups and downs no matter what. And embrace and learn from those ebbs and flows.
Tip #3….Realize it doesn’t matter….
Honestly you also have to simply remind yourself that it doesn’t matter!
You have your situation and you have to face it if you want to move forward.
Sure we may have many struggles. We may not have what we used to have.
But if we want to move forward, we can.
No matter what.
And whatever happened for anyone else out there doesn’t dictate our personal success.
So we need to stop worrying about what it took for them. We need to focus on where we are and what we need as our needs and goals constantly evolve.
Focus on you. It’s all you can do! And it is really all that matters!
SUMMARY:
Take ownership of your journey. Even love when the odds are stacked against you.
It makes it that much more sweet when you succeed. When you rebuild stronger. When you prove them all wrong.
Be true to you and live your best, healthiest and happiest life.
Hi
I truly want to thank you for your clear ,to the point message today. I injured myself and worked so hard to get to a place where I was so proud of myself. Long story short, I lost a lot of the muscle after the injury. I have been so focused on dwelling about the loss that I have not focused on moving forward to get the muscle back.
I heard what you had to say and will work on focusing about moving forward instead of dwelling on what I lost.
Ann
Absolutely love this!! So true. At 76 I’m not where I was at 26 or 66 but I can own this 76 and make it the best it can be…for me. I’ve always lifted, going on 40 years and I’ve had some really sucky downs…but they were mine. This may take some rereading for some to fully get it, but it will be time well spent.
Thank you so very much for your encouragement and passing on your knowledge and strengths. Inspiring me everyday. Grateful for your help. Thank you again.
It always stinks Ann when we have those setbacks, BUT we can’t change them now. We can only move forward. And I like to see it as an opportunity to come back even stronger 🙂
YES! Own where you are and focus on feeling your best now, meeting yourself where you are at. Our lifestyle, needs and goals are constantly evolving. Our goal is just to meet ourselves where we are at now to move forward!
So glad the tips help!
Dear Cori,
I tend to get really depressed for having close to zero friends throughout my whole life + this weird TMJ thing that has been bugging me for so long. I honestly don’t think growing muscles will alleviate me out of that situation; just as how female bodies are complete opposite when it comes down to how male bodies naturally function.
I just want to leave you guys with a short thanks for time limit’s sake; not sure how much I can get into fitness but so far I like few and far figures in b/w, that I can tell.
Much Regards,
Hi Star. Always here if you need anything. Remember little changes can add up to see the results we want. And hope you find the support you need!
One thing I’ve learned is that it helps to keep refining your goals as your situation progresses/regresses, like steering a ship in changing weather. Sometimes the feedback you get from your body based on what you’ve done so far helps you understand the way to your goals better. I try to be as specific as possible when it comes to workouts so the decisions are already made when I go to do the exercise.
This. Was. Real.
If my body would have done what my mind wanted over the years, I would be a much stronger and a more fit woman today. I watch the videos. I take in the advice you give. When I wake up a few hours earlier before work, I have so much time to make the hard choices.
Then I awaken, look at the floor, think to myself “meh,” and piddle–watch a video or two, catch up on social media, lie back in a cocoon position and nod telling myself that I’m not going back to sleep. And sleep.
Did the post that led me to this link and this advice inspire me? Absolutely, for almost 10 minutes. Being annoyed about hating habits, acquiring and keeping them, really annoys me. If my body didn’t do what was absolutely necessary for me to stay alive… I’d forget.
It’s late in the evening right now. There’s tomorrow. We’ll see what happens. The flicker can always get that extra air to become a flame.
What you said added to the many truths in my head. Starting. Continuing. This is coming from a person who can’t even sign her name the same way every time.
Okay. End on a happy note, shall we? That was good stuff. Thanks for putting it out there. 😊
Love this and couldn’t agree more. You definitely need to listen to your body and stay focused always on meeting it where it is at!
Change can be hard, BUT ultimately we have the power to choose to make those changes. You’ve got this Lesia! One small change RIGHT NOW can build!