Okay... So it has been a while since I've written a blog. The last one that I posted was more like a mini article.
I would love some feedback on what kind of posts you guys like best. :)
Today I wanted to go over MINDSET. Specifically a successful mindset. A mindset to win the day, no matter what season you are in, what mood you're in, or what's going on around you.
1. You have to start your day off with a positive mindset or attitude. Don't wake up to your alarm and instantly complain that you have to get up. Wake up to your alarm and say, "thank you." Thank you for the day. Thank you for the roof over your head. Thank you for the coffee you're going to drink. Thank you for the job that you are getting ready to go to. There are so many things to be thankful for.
If you can start your day off with a positive mindset, then that is already a win for the day.
And bring this mindset everywhere you go! If you come across an obstacle in the day, then figure out how to get around it (or over it, or under it). And be thankful that you even had the opportunity to have that obstacle to begin with.
2. Let's talk about what I mean by "seasons." So for me... Being a bodybuilder I have an on and off season. You can also have an on and off season in business. But I say this cautiously because, if you want to be successful, there isn't really a complete off season.
It is all a lifestyle. Being a bodybuilder or elite athlete, it's a lifestyle. Being a business owner or entrepreneur, it's a lifestyle. And you can't just take time off from YOUR LIFE.
But there are going to be "seasons" that you have to push harder, and that you can relax a little. And I say a little! Yes, you want to enjoy your life, but if you completely derail from your lifestyle, all the hard work you put in during the ON SEASON will be lost.
Here's a little bit about how I went through my most recent bodybuilding off season...
My last show was July 2015. It has been two years. That's a good amount of time to "take off." But I didn't just relax during that time. I used that time to improve (improvement season). If you know my story, then you know that after I earned my pro card in bodybuilding I had a really bad rebound. I gain like 40 pounds in 3ish months. It was bad. I went from being at my best (which I work so hard for, 20+ weeks of STRICT dieting and training); to being at my all time worst (I just threw away all my hard work & I can honestly say I hated myself for it).
I was able to turn things around though. I met Tony (my amazing boyfriend) who was a huge help in this journey. I hired a nutrition coach (Jason Theobald). Normally I don't hire a coach in the off season, but I needed to this time. The two of them helped me find my groove again, and remember why I got into the industry to begin with.
So these past two years I work my butt off! I was able to lose the weight, get stronger (started powerlifting), and I started learning more... Learning more about the world, life, MY LIFE, my sport, my profession, relationships, a whole bunch of things. I refused to waste this off season. But it took me getting to my WORST to realized what I had to do; and what I wanted to do.
I didn't want to live my life that way. Lazy, fat, unhappy. Who wants to live like that?! And if you live that way... How the heck can you have a successful mindset? YOU CAN'T.
I took control, and change my mindset. Instead of being miserable and focusing on how fat I let myself get (I was fat for ME, and my own opinion of myself is what matters most, and that goes for anyone); I started focusing on improving myself in ALL WAYS. Mind, body, soul, inside, out, EVERYTHING! There is always room for improvement! And I was going to improve. I was going to win the day!
So that is how I approached my off season. That is how I had a successful mindset during that time in my life.
And now I am in contest prep. I am getting ready for the biggest competition of my life, so far (in bodybuilding).
How did I transition from one season to the next? Honestly, I was nervous about this transition. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it. BUT I DID!
I had everything planned out. I knew when my season was starting. I knew what it took last time to bring my best to become a pro. And I know that it is going to take even more to bring my best to the pro stage. And in order to bring my best, I have to GIVE IT MY ALL! Every day, I have to be on point with my eating. Take my vitamins. Do my cardio. Train hard. Get my rest. All of it! Everything counts and contributes to what I bring to that stage.
(and even though I am talking about bodybuilding, all of this can carry over into life)
If I cheat on my diet, or skip a workout or cardio session, then that's on me. And if I don't do well at my show, then I don't have the right to complain (not that I would complain). But if I didn't give it my all, then I, in a way, deserve to lose (I know that sounds harsh, but it's true). You get out what you put in. Put in the time and the work, and the results will come.
I mentioned above that all this can carry over into life, and it can! I am practicing bring my athlete mindset to my life outside of the gym. I am doing my best to always be productive. Always working on some sort of content or learning. Taking care of clients or simply helping a coworker make a healthier lunch choice. Same as in the gym, if I put in the time and the work, then the results will come... Growing a brand and business takes a little longer though. Especially because it is out of my comfort zone. But that is how one grows!
3. MOOD. What kind of mood you are in can affect a lot of things. You, your spouse, your kids, your friends, your productivity for the day, your progress, your sleep... A LOT! But like I mentioned above... YOU ARE IN CONTROL.
The other day, I was crying because I dropped my siblings off at the airport. And I told Tony that I didn't want to be sad. So he told me, "Then don't be." Or if I was going to be sad... Then don't let it ruin my day. He was so right (Which he normally is. Shhh! Don't tell him I said that. Ha.)!
All I needed to do is focus on the good things that was going on. I just got to spend 4 days with my siblings. I got to go on all kinds of fun adventures. So I took those happy thoughts and allowed that to fill me up, instead of the one sad thing.
Sure I still missed them. Sure I still cried throughout the day (I'm a bit of a baby). But I didn't allow that to get in the way of me going to the gym. I didn't allow it to get in the way of me sticking to my diet. <-- That one is huge! A lot of people are emotionally eaters! NO NO NO!!! When you eat bad because you are sad, it may make you happy in that short moment, but then you will feel guilty, bloated, and upset that you gain weight the next day. It is not worth it!
I tell my clients to use this energy as motivation to be better. Better for yourself and your loved ones. You are always one workout away from a good mood.
Long story, LONG... Don't let your mood hinder your progress in the gym or in life. Focus on the positive, and positive things will come your way.
4. There will ALWAYS be something going on around you. Whether it be a birthday party, a holiday, a family function, a potluck at work, or even something extremely devastating, like someone gets sick or passes away. Life doesn't stop though. Bills still need to be paid. You still need to be taken care of. Your family still needs to be taken care of.
No matter what is going on... You cannot use that as an excuse. Again, I'm sorry if this is a little harsh, but it is true. So many people, say... "I'll start after the holidays," "I cheated on my diet because it was my friend's birthday," "I skipped the gym because of blah, blah..."
EXCUSES!
If you want to succeed in anything in life, you have to get rid of your excuses. Only then will you start seeing the results that you want.
(Again... I may be talking mostly about the gym, because that is my career and life choice... But all this goes for anything.)
There will ALWAYS be something going on... IT'S LIFE! You have to work with what's going on. Schedule and prioritize. You cannot just give up on your goals because you have a baby shower to go to.
And sure... One day won't kill you... But if you have tried to break old habits and/or create new habits, or work towards a huge goal of yours... You know how hard it is, and how much work it takes. And one day can definitely throw you off, especially if you are still at the beginning of your journey. Plus, one day becomes two, becomes every weekend, becomes the summer, becomes the holiday season.
Like I said above... THIS IS A LIFESTYLE! There are no days off in life. That would be called, dead.
I also wanted to say, that you can win the day by resting too. You don't have to be "ON," 24-7. In order to be successful, and have the proper mindset, you have to get quality sleep too. Life is a roller coaster. There will be ups and downs. On seasons and off seasons. You just have to find the happy medium with everything.
Tony and I were talking a couple days ago, about how I might have to work more right now. One, to make more money and save up. Two, to build my business and brand. And then in a few years I can relax a little bit, and have more fun. Sure at the very moment there might not be a lot of balance... But in the end, things will balance out.
I hope this blog wasn't too confusing. & I hope it helps :)