Have you ever noticed how easy it is to blame other people or circumstances for your own failures?
Take me, for example. The event planners here at the conference took me up on my offer to lead a fitness walk every morning at 6:30. This is no small offer for me because while I'm trying very hard to up my fitness game, the truth is that it's an extremely difficult mountain to climb. After speaking yesterday and being out very late last night at the fabulous party sponsored by Essential Wholesale, when my 6:15 wake-up call came this morning, I just rolled over and blamed the jet lag, stress and late night partying on my decision to skip this morning's walk.
Then, the phone rang. It was Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry, one of my fitness inspirations. I told her I just couldn't make it. We hung up and off they went. The tape in my head said I couldn't do it. But as I rolled over, I decided to think just for a moment about how I would feel if I changed the "I can't" to "I will." That brief thought was all I needed to propel myself out of bed, get dressed in record time and run a mile to catch up with the other walkers.
Somehow, I managed to get out of my own way, reverse the negative tape in my head, and I'm just back from the best walk of my life! Also joining me and Anne-Marie were Lorrie Beach of Canterbury Cabin, Delores Harris of Daisy May Natural Soap, Valerie Rice of Piper Tate and Susan Ryhanen of Saipua.
Question: Have you ever had to change the tape in your head from "can't" to "can," even when you had legitimate excuses to stay stuck in park? I'd love to hear how you manage to drag yourself forward, even when it just seems like you can't do it. Please share your motivating stories here so we can all benefit!
I really needed this post. Thank you! Like others, it’s been hard for me to change the “I can’t” to “I will”, at least lately. I just feel worn out for a multitude of reasons. It’s amazing how one person in your life can change those “ugh” moments into more positive ones. What would have happened if Anne-Marie hadn’t called and been that flash of inspiration in the morning for you? We all need to surround ourselves, one way or another, with people that inspire us. Just as importantly, we need to make the effort to BE the inspiration for others.
I really needed this post. Thank you! Like others, it’s been hard for me to change the “I can’t” to “I will”, at least lately. I just feel worn out for a multitude of reasons. It’s amazing how one person in your life can change those “ugh” moments into more positive ones. What would have happened if Anne-Marie hadn’t called and been that flash of inspiration in the morning for you? We all need to surround ourselves, one way or another, with people that inspire us. Just as importantly, we need to make the effort to BE the inspiration for others.
My body is still on East Coast time so I was wide awake at 4:30 AM Pacific Time. That was what made it an easy choice for me to go for the fitness walk. Life is about choices we make and yesterday’s walk and the great conversations I had with my fellow walkers, were the things that gave me more inspiration to make the right decision.
My body is still on East Coast time so I was wide awake at 4:30 AM Pacific Time. That was what made it an easy choice for me to go for the fitness walk. Life is about choices we make and yesterday’s walk and the great conversations I had with my fellow walkers, were the things that gave me more inspiration to make the right decision.
I just experienced the SAME thing today! Normally, I workout in the mornings, but the day slipped away from me today. It was 8pm & I still hadn’t gotten my workout in. I was in the “I can’t” mode because I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, had to give my daughter a bath, etc., etc. But, just before I decided to make the “I can’t” a reality, I changed my verbiage to “I WILL!” I felt so great that I went ahead & did my workout.
Thanks for posting this dM!
I just experienced the SAME thing today! Normally, I workout in the mornings, but the day slipped away from me today. It was 8pm & I still hadn’t gotten my workout in. I was in the “I can’t” mode because I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, had to give my daughter a bath, etc., etc. But, just before I decided to make the “I can’t” a reality, I changed my verbiage to “I WILL!” I felt so great that I went ahead & did my workout.
Thanks for posting this dM!
I experience this “I can’t” challenge sometimes. At times it gets heavy and I need to spend a day at home alone, but I always come out fighting. Having moved to Africa from America I have faced many I can’t days. Being away from my family was very hard, then came malaria, typhoid fever, loneliness, business failure etc… But through it all I always receive a positive sign and with my God given strength and perseverance I keep going.
I experience this “I can’t” challenge sometimes. At times it gets heavy and I need to spend a day at home alone, but I always come out fighting. Having moved to Africa from America I have faced many I can’t days. Being away from my family was very hard, then came malaria, typhoid fever, loneliness, business failure etc… But through it all I always receive a positive sign and with my God given strength and perseverance I keep going.
@D’Anna: I’m so glad this post what just what you needed when you saw it. We all have those times when it’s harder than usual to be motivated. I’m so grateful to have you and other Indies in my life to pull me along, and I’m excited to do some pulling now and then too if that’s helpful. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.
@D’Anna: I’m so glad this post what just what you needed when you saw it. We all have those times when it’s harder than usual to be motivated. I’m so grateful to have you and other Indies in my life to pull me along, and I’m excited to do some pulling now and then too if that’s helpful. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.
@DaisySoapGirl: You’re so right! The conversations were incredible. It’s so much fun to learn from new people on a walk where everyone is doing so many things at once that are good for all of us. I hope next time we see each other, we can find time for a good walk. I so enjoyed talking with you.
I also saw your very proud husband taking pictures of you as you were receiving your soapmaker awards. Congratulations on your accomplishments! I’m inspired by you!
@DaisySoapGirl: You’re so right! The conversations were incredible. It’s so much fun to learn from new people on a walk where everyone is doing so many things at once that are good for all of us. I hope next time we see each other, we can find time for a good walk. I so enjoyed talking with you.
I also saw your very proud husband taking pictures of you as you were receiving your soapmaker awards. Congratulations on your accomplishments! I’m inspired by you!