“How are you showing up?” This was a topic of conversation with a friend in a recent phone conversation. We dug deep into “words versus behaviors and actions.”
Truth be told, we may think we are showing up fully, but a closer examination reveals our words may be very different than our actions.
Have you ever had occasion where you do something, thinking you are giving it your all, but upon careful evaluation, you realize, you could have given more of yourself to the experience?
Such was the case with my recent participation in my first sprint triathlon. I set the goal to challenge myself by participating in the race six months prior to the big day.
Knowing I had six months to prepare, I mapped out my training plan. Having participated in several 5k, 10k, 10 mile, half marathons and two full marathons, the running part was something I was comfortable with.
To prepare for the 13.1-mile bike ride, I joined a twice a week spin class at my local gym. Admittedly, the first month was tough, but by sticking with it, I improved significantly. I had a noticeable improvement in my ability the first time I rode a few miles on my own bicycle around my neighborhood.
As with the running, I felt comfortable with the biking leg.
Then there was the swimming. As a child, my favorite summer activity was hanging out at the local pool for hours on end. I participated in the Friday races, often being rewarded with a blue ribbon in my age group.
Although it had been over 55 years since my blue ribbon swim days, I didn’t let the swimming concern me. My local gym is equipped with a small pool. I figured I could prepare myself for what was to come by swimming laps in the small pool.
“You’d be wise to train in open water,” was the cautionary warning from several friends who had participated in triathlons.
Even the books I read warned that the swimming leg was often the toughest part of a triathlon. Convinced I was a strong swimmer, I conveniently ignored the warnings.
Rude Awakening
I was in for a rude, and dangerous, awakening. It didn’t take long into the first leg, the swim, to realize I had not given my training 100%.
Struggling through the entire swim, I knew I could have done a heck of a lot better had I put more effort into my training. As with other times in my life when I chose to ignore the cautionary tales from others, this time it could have literally killed me.
I came to terms with the fact I hadn’t given it my all. I hadn’t shown up at 100%.
Less than an hour after I crossed the finish line, I vowed to do the race next year. This time, I would take things more seriously. This time, I would find others to train with. This time, I would give it more than I had.
The experience gave me a lot of food for thought in other areas of my life. Am I showing up 100%?
30 Day Commitment
With the 30-Day Turnaround Challenge, are you giving it 100% or are you dipping your toe in the water?
Giving 100% can apply to virtually any area of our life. What you say you want and what you really want is revealed in how you spend your time.
Your commitment to the 30-Day Turnaround Challenge will be more evident by your actions rather than your words.
If you say you are committed to exercising for the 30-day period, are you doing whatever it takes to make that happen?
Maybe you said you will eliminate sugar for the 30 days. Are you still sugar free?
Perhaps you are focusing on improving business? Can you sincerely say that your actions during the first three days of the challenge supports the outcome you say you want?
It’s never too late to get back on track. Regardless of what you did yesterday, today is a new day. Today you can get back on track. Today your actions can show what your truth is.
