Sometimes in life, we have to do things that we don’t really want to do. Like exercise. Yes – I do mean me!
I’ve recently started using my Peloton bike in the mornings, and (whilst being VERY sweaty and out of breath!) I began to think to myself: ‘Why am I doing this? This is awful!’
But it wasn’t what I was telling myself. What do I mean by that?
You see, I was trying to tell myself that I LOVED exercise, and that it was making me feel great. But the truth was – what my mind was REALLY saying – was that I hated every moment of it.
I was lying to myself.
I realised that by telling myself such negative things I was making it much more difficult for myself, and pretty much demotivating myself.
Nothing is ever easy to accomplish if you’re telling yourself that you hate it and that you want to give up on it.
I knew I needed a different outlook on it, so I decided to start exploring why I actually wanted to exercise. At first, I thought it was because I didn’t want to let others down.
A lot of the time in the past I have found myself doing things because I didn’t want to let down people I cared about (especially clients!). Doing something because someone wanted me to do it has always made me feel more motivated. It’s that extra layer of special sauce – that if I couldn’t do it just for myself, that I had to at least try for their sake.
People are driven by all kinds of different things when it comes to getting stuff done – and this is definitely one thing that has always driven me.
But still, I felt like I needed to dig a bit deeper.
I began by asking myself if I wanted to exercise. The answer was – no shocks here – a no.
Then I considered my WHY, and more importantly – the end goal.
You see – as a friend once told me – you should always focus on the future, on the end goal, and not the problems in front of it.
So, rather than focusing on the exercise itself, I began to remind myself of the benefits it was giving me, as well as how it would impact me in the future.
And suddenly it all made sense.
I wasn’t doing exercise because I enjoyed it, or because it gave me my WHY feeling – because it wasn’t at all! I was doing it because I wanted to live longer, live healthier, and be able to live my WHY! And when I am doing something because people need me, that’s ok too – because it motivates me, and I like helping people. THAT is what gives me my WHY feeling.
So, when trying something challenging – ask yourself if any of it (especially the end goal) aligns with your WHY.
Leave your comfort zone, find what drives you, and try new challenges!
Speaking of leaving your comfort zone, on the 11th September I will be launching my first Strictly Come Speaking event, for women to learn how to start public speaking effectively.
Public speaking for you might be like exercise is for me. Something that you feel you SHOULD do but you’d rather not. If that is the case, then reminding yourself of your end goal (maybe helping more people) is definitely the way to go.
If public speaking is something that you find tough or challenging, then I highly recommend that you come along for yourself! Reach out to me at cheryl@cheryl-chapman.com if you’re interested in finding out more.
When the going gets tough, don’t give up!
Cheryl xx
PS – The genetic blueprint really helps with understanding who you are and what you are here to do – fill in this 2-minute questionnaire and I will send you your own ‘genetic blueprint’ which will help you understand yourself so you can begin to find your why! You will find it here.
PPS – If the link doesn’t work for any reason (sometimes technology has a bad day) then email me on cheryl@cheryl-chapman.com and I will sort it out for you!
PPPS – If you liked this blog and want to read more blogs surrounding female empowerment, you can find last week’s here: ‘How Public Speaking Helps You‘
“I’m on a global mission to help 10 million disheartened souls, who are at a crossroads, to STOP asking why me? And START saying why not me!”