If I could permanently strike three words from my clients’ vocabulary, it would be these: “I can only…”
- “I can only lift (x amt of weight ) ….. it’s too heavy”
- “I can only come to the gym twice a week because I don’t have time.”
- “I can only run, lift, push, pull …. (x amt of weight/time).”
Far too many times I hear the words “I Can’t”. Those two words should never be strung together in a sentence let alone in a workout. Don’t get me wrong sometimes the workout is hard and it does suck, however, saying “I can’t” without trying is a no go in my books !
The issue with “I can’t” or “I can only” means that your doing the workload, it got hard, you didn’t believe in YOU and then you want a reason to give up! In order to get better it needs to be hard. If you want to succeed you need to struggle sometimes and not play it safe with a lighter load. Doing MORE work and failing is better than doing something easy and not struggling.
Everyone at some point started at the beginning. There is no magic and the only difference is how much effort you put forth. Yes it will get frustrating sometimes and you might feel like going easier is better but ask yourself if you want to get better what will it take ? In life we make choices to progress. It might be applying for a higher job position, it might be trying a new class or even taking a risk by starting a business. What this called for is that “uncomfortable” stage. In fitness that “uncomfortable” stage happens when things are hard and you struggle.
It is totally acceptable to TRY and not succeed the first time, but at least you gave yourself that ability to see if you could. But it is never acceptable to be a downer on yourself for being a beginner by saying, “I can only.” You create and limit your potential. If you can choose to accept defeat as part of the growing experience, you will learn how to push past the limit of “I can’t” and just do it (as Nike would say).
One tip on the road to success is the mental aspect. Know in your heart and mind you are capable of performing a task and just go with it! You won’t have to convince yourself if you already believe it !I constantly come across people who go out on a limb to try and get a little better every day but are unable to see how awesome they are doing even when they just try the simple act and stop doubting everything. Learn the art of self-talk! I cannot stress the value of a positive mentality enough. Why? Because life can get rough and sometimes it’s you and your mind that are going to be the definitive answer to your success. I once said that if I had a bubble that connected to my thoughts when I perform a WOD it would be the best motivational speech that anyone could give. I practice positive self talk for that reason so in the middle of a workout I can channel the power and just get through whatever I need to!
Next time you “think” you can’t do something OR you get the urge to give up on yourself, practice talking positive and just go for it ! You will be surprised at how much your capable of doing and how much further you can be if you just try !