At 5am this morning my alarm clock went off. I was so comfortable and it was so dark outside, I automatically hit the snooze button. (We all know what that’s like, right?) Fast-forward 9 minutes and I suddenly realised I was supposed to be up for my 6am boot camp in my local park. You see I have a personal goal to lose 6.5 kilos (1 stone) in 4 weeks.
The realisation that I needed to lose weight dawned on me at the weekend when I was delivering my seminar Is your business financially fit, or just a couch potato? I felt like a total frump and I knew that I needed to get myself back into shape.
It would have been so easy to stay in my comfortable bed this morning, especially when I realised that my car windscreen was frozen solid, and it was also starting to snow!
I arrived at the park with 9 others who all looked far better prepared than I. They even looked happy when Matt the instructor explained that today we would be sprinting. Sprinting? This was rapidly turning into my worst nightmare before I even started. I automatically blurted out “I can’t run.” I was then given a head torch, which just made me giggle.
As soon as I turned on my head torch, I started to see the snowy park in a whole new light. It was so beautiful. I still knew I had the sprint challenge ahead, in a park, up a hill.
Matt told me to pace myself and to not be concerned if the others were faster than me. Matt said he only had one expectation of me—to be the best I can be, and to push myself.
I got lapped many times by the others, but every time they came past they would offer me moral support—and LOTS of encouragement. I actually started to enjoy the workout. Now I can’t wait to get better at this. Yes I can run. I have the natural tools; I just haven’t got all of the skills and stamina to do it well yet!
I am now feeling alert and ready for the day ahead, and EXCITED about how the small wins to my fitness are moving me towards my goal.
It’s too easy to make excuses. These excuses have a HUGE impact on every aspect of our personal and business lives.
Here are some of my business boot camp take-aways:
- Don’t wait until things are out of control. It’s far easier to tackle problem areas when you first notice them, and before they grow in size. (I’m picturing my big butt here…)
- Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t…you’re right. Quote courtesy of Henry Ford. Enough said!
- There is no such thing as failure. Sometimes things have to get uncomfortable before we can see our best option.
- What negative stories are you telling yourself? Note how often you say a negative belief to yourself. Be careful, these negative thoughts breed!
- Surround Yourself with Positivity. Expect people to help you and you will attract the right people to you and your business.
- Set Big Goals. A big goal can be scary initially, so break it down into manageable steps to move forward.
- Take your Time to get it right. You could hurt your business by trying to copy and keep up with others. Keep stable and build your skills and stamina first.
- Be Accountable. Make sure you stay on your path and keep a light shining forwards. Attach time lines to your goals–test and measure your improvements.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Every expert was a beginner once. Learn from people and businesses you admire and respect.
- Love where you are, move forwards and Don’t Look Back. There is no point in staying in the past. You cannot change anything that has happened even a few seconds ago. Worry and regret has no impact on your great future. Only forward planning and present positivity can do that.