Whatcha Thinking?
Posted by Janelle Brown on
One morning a couple of weeks ago I was driving to my early morning workout session. It is a bit of a drive for these one-on-one personal training appointments, so I was feeling resentful and burdened. It was such a chore to get up so early and get my butt out of bed…yada yada yada.
Then, as I sat at the 4-way stop down the street, I realized what I was thinking. Wait, I am the one who chose to make this appointment. I am the one who chose to schedule an early morning appointment at this particular gym.
No one forced me to make these decisions. I alone am responsible for the situation I am in this morning. But wait, was it a situation? Was it a chore? Slowly I realized that I had once again stumbled upon a mental trap I am very susceptible to falling into. Maybe you are too.
I often find myself feeling put-upon when I am doing something that shakes me out of my comfort zone. I know that what I’m undertaking is a good thing to do, and, obviously, it’s something that I WANT to do. However, when I am not tuned in to the inspired part of my psyche that wants to keep propelling me forward, and I am just coasting, I find I feel a touch of resentment towards those same actions. Odd, isn’t it? Experts would say that those feelings were the natural response of your ego. The job of the ego, if you remove all the negative connotations that having a big ego has in our culture, is to keep you safe.
Some would say that the ego keeps you small, it keeps you from achieving greater things, and it helps us to survive.
Do you want to simply survive or do you want more?
It seems to follow, that we need to watch for those little lies our minds will tell us when we are trying to be more than what we currently are. Really tune in to what we are thinking in any given situation that we find ourselves resisting positive changes. Recognize the thoughts, analyze them to see if they are warnings to be heeded, or just see them as the ego trying to keep you in your safe zone. The zone that is the status quo, that is familiar and comfortable. For me, I plan on challenging those early morning yada, yada, yadas, facing my fears, and moving beyond the mental trap. It’s the only way forward.
Can you identify thoughts or beliefs that are holding you back?
Thanks for the very inspirational thoughts. At times it is hard to get inspired and enthused about getting up, working out & trying our best to stay healthy with all the other things we have going on in our life. Afraid the older we get the less we really want to get a jump start on all the things we really need to do daily to keep ourselves in shape. I find winter is a down time for me mentally and that keeps me from being motivated on the physical side. So, guess I just need to get my mind in the right place, no matter what, and know my health is #1 on my “To Do” list. .. Enjoyed the blog !
I always used to make excuses not to do it to busy at work to busy with life. Then one day it clicked for me. I am sticking to it and enjoying my life as a healthy person. Good for you. You are a great person you deserve to do it for yourself. Blessing
I agree with all you have said and I think we all struggle with those demons in our head and once u can acknowledge them i think it does make it easier. I have watched you struggle on your path and i commend you for doing it all and talking about it. It has to be hard to be in the public and also having
your own personal demons but you get up every day and you do it tired or not. Way to go girl you give myself and a lot of women courage.
Keep going.
Thanks
Julia
I live in the UK but your comments really struck home. I find I can be so motivated for days on end and then slump to such twisted and negative thinking and woe is me feelings even though I know full well how good my exercise sessions are!!
Need to try and banish these demons and negativity .
Any tips?
“Not tuned in to the inspired part of my psyche” – That is great insight and really honest reflection. I struggle with this as well. You always know in your head everything you need to do, and you always understand the logic of it but, for whatever reason, the motivation isn’t always there. It’s the difference between knowing and feeling. Kudos for still getting up and getting going.