Spoon

On more than one occasion recently I have had discussions with others about why we compare ourselves to other people. Things like:

• They are prettier
• They have a better job
• They have a better life
• I have to have a better car
• Why can't I be like others?
• I'm not as smart
• I'm not as skinny
• I don't have enough money
• And the list goes on and on and on and on

So why do we compare ourselves? Sometimes it might motivate us to work harder, achieve more or strive higher. But most often it leads us down a path of negativity and breeds more negativity. 

Ironically this must be in the air. I have read several blog posts about this topic and seen many motivational sayings in the last couple of weeks. But I want to start with a children's book. When you are best friends with a preschool teacher, you get to hear about a lot of great children's books. This one is called "Spoon"

I know I won't get the story entirely right, but I will get the moral of the story. Spoon is complaining to his mom about how knife and fork get to do all the cool stuff. His mom gently reminds him that fork and knife are actually quite jealous of him because of all the cool stuff he gets to do. 

That doesn't give the story justice but it gets the point across. Why do we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others? We often forget that someone else is likely comparing their life to yours.

So it's time to stop comparing, be proud of who you are, what you do, and what you look like.

My fellow coach and great friend wrote a beautiful blog post about being perfect. Please take time to read it but here is part of it.

http://www.jasnaburza.com/blog/

Are you fond of saying that you are not perfect?

I am not trying to convince you otherwise, but I do want to invite you to reflect on the effect that it has on your psyche. I happen to believe that this statement cuts into our own self worth, self confidence and self love and I am wondering if it is costing you something by saying it. Words have power my friends, so every time you affirm something like this – you are affirming an underlying belief about yourself that may not be true.

Saying this may also be an excuse for making mistakes or not letting yourself embrace the clumsy part of you (or whatever else might come to mind). What kind of standard are you creating for yourself? What kind of standard are you creating for others? Can you or others ever live up to it?

Why are you so mean to yourself? Start being perfect today. 

And just in case you need a reminder about what life is really all about - watch this video if you haven't seen it. Beware: if you cry easily, you will sob with snot running out of your nose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NjKgV65fpo

Have a great week :)

Time Flies

On May 15, 2006 life smacked me in the face. It hit hard. I started my job. Seven years ago today I started my "adult" job.

I graduated from Truman State University on May 13 and somehow I didn't get the memo about backpacking through Europe, or vacationing for a month, or any other relaxing thing. I was driven, I was confident, and I was naive. Oh and I had a bad haircut. 

I left Missouri sad to have graduated from college but excited to start a job. I walked in the door of Northwest Athletic Club (soon to be Lifetime Fitness) and I did not have a clue what to do. I was hired to be a personal trainer but all I could see at that moment was a gigantic club, lots of equipment, so many people, and I had no idea what to do.

Even though I was overwhelmed I had a great new dog.

But then I blinked. 7 years went by. People were not joking when they said time goes by so fast. I have learned so much, been blessed with so many amazing clients and co-workers, and had great experiences.

I have always prided myself on being a "relatable" trainer. I remember asking my dad before I started "what if no one will hire me because I'm not fit enough?" I eat cookies, I sometimes struggle to work out, I don't always get enough sleep, etc. I am able to relate to my clients.

Apparently being relatable has worked - I have loyal and amazing clients.  One of my clients said something to me today that really made me proud of myself. She said "you were working for awhile and then you got vacation time and then you learned how to take vacation"

This made me chuckle but also made me reflect. I am really proud of my life/work balance. I have been able to have so many great experiences regardless of money, time or other boundaries.  A Forbes article reveals 75% of polled Americans do not use up all of their paid time off in a year. I have never left a day off on the table. Usually at the end of the year I am trying to bribe trainers with cookies for them to give me their leftover pto. 

How's your work/life balance? What experiences have you had? What experiences have you missed because you just couldn't take time off?

But I do have one regret. And that is to not have written down all the funny stuff I have seen or heard at the gym. So I did my best and found a video that only starts to express what is overhead at the gym. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx2INXMwJJ8

Have a fantastic week and take a random day off and PLAY.

You Just Have to Laugh

It has been snowing here lately. In MAY. Southern Minnesota had a snow day last week because of 15 inches of snow. 

So there is really only one thing to do...LAUGH. This week's blog is going to be dedicated to laughter and I have compiled a few things that will hopefully accomplish this. 

This came across my facebook the other day and it made me laugh out loud. I do not know how many of my clients have said something along this line. But as it was snowing outside, there would have been something comforting about laying in bed with cookies ;)

I have posted this first video before but it is ALWAYS good for a laugh and there is a follow up video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsMw10KVVCk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I

And for all you moms (and dads) here is a funny article about parenting.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/people-who-are-really-nailing-this-parenting-thing

Take time this week to laugh. Watch a video, go to a movie, laugh at your kids, your pet, laugh at yourself. Do whatever it takes. Sometimes you just have to laugh at life.

Have a great week.