Do you even want what you are selling? 

I was having a conversation this morning with a few members about “the art of showing up”. Did you know that you are your best salesperson? I mean, you really are the best! If you earned commission on all the bullshit you sold yourself, you’d be living large, right? You can talk yourself into and out of anything you want. It applies to everything in life that you know you need but won’t do, not just exercising.    We happened to be discussing the morning workouts (5 or 6am). Everyone drags themselves there at that hour in the dark, NOT motivated and NOT “feeling it”. Seriously, do you think anyone wakes up with excitement to do 50 burpee step ups with dumbbells in their hands?  Of course not, that would make them insane!  Are they different than you? Not at all. You are all the same. People are predictable and this is why we spend so much energy with clients, teaching them to just get out of their own way and concentrate on the strategy of DOING!   Not one of us has mastered this art of showing up.   Just when we think we’ve got it, something like a global pandemic comes along and destroys the routine!  Your story is not special. I don’t want to sound mean or insensitive to anyone’s situation, but everyone has something that is real in their life that is a good excuse not to put in the work they need for their health. I won’t list them, but I promise you I’ve heard them all and I can give you multiple examples of people who do get it done, who have is worse. There is always someone who has it easier and someone who has it harder. It doesn’t change anything. The work still has to be done. There is no pill or shake or drink that makes this easy, people. I wish there was an easy button.  There is not.  

I have my whiny-ass little moments just like the next person, but here is how I snap out of it.  

• Gratitude: I remember that I am blessed with my health at this moment and time. I have two functioning legs, healthy lungs, and people that love me. I am 49 and counting it down until next May for the big one.  I want to be proud of myself.   That is enough.  
• Experience:  I KNOW what I will feel like after my workout is over.  I only know this because I’ve done it enough times that it has become hard fact.  A hard workout makes me feel terrific.  AFTER IT IS OVER.  
• Preparation:  Every night before I go to bed, I lay my clothes out in the bathroom so that I can stumble right in there and put them on (sometimes with my eyes still shut).  I set the coffee the night before so after my clothes are on AND my shoes, I go pour a cup of coffee so I can sip on it while I wash my face and put on a little makeup for the day.  Sometimes I stumble to the coffee first…okay most of time, but I’m working on that one.  Yes, I wear makeup to the gym because that’s also my job and I stay there all day.  My face doesn’t sweat much… and why do I need to explain myself?  That’s enough about that. 
• Accountability: I try to tell someone I am working out at X time.  Either I will post it on social media, send a text to my sister, or make a date with someone just to be accountable.  I know I am less likely to buy my bullshit before noon, so I almost always workout in the mornings.
• Group class: I have all the time in the world since I own a gym, but as you know time is really not the issue is it?  Priority is.  Group class is how I am able to make sure I don’t slack, walk out early (with all my very important stuff to do…bullshit most of the time), or just bail all together.   People need each other.  It’s human nature.  We do not do well as loners for very long.  Quarantine should have shown us this.    
• Read or reread Atomic Habits by James Clear.  There is an audio version and it’s worth every bit of your time to read or listen to it.  It’s a game changer when you need to make some hard changes in your life, assess what is getting in your way, and take a hard look at the daily habits that affect your choices.  

None of us are perfect and have it all figured out forever!  It’s an ongoing battle inside us all.  The only thing that keeps you from being successful is you.  Stop selling yourself so easily on failure. When I meet folks who are looking into joining RCCF, I have to look at them and tell them “It’s not my job to sell you on our product.  I need to sell you on YOU.”  Show up. Then show up tomorrow and the next day.  Say no to your inner salesperson. He or she is lying to you.   The rest will fall into place.