How to get from "I CAN'T" to "I WILL"
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Jimenez on -
So today I attended the first meeting of a committee that was formed to develop and oversee a wellness program for my employee, a large regional health care organization. My participation on the committee was requested due to my prior experience with wellness initiatives for the physician group and the perception that I am a ‘fitness nut.’
At one point during the meeting when we were discussing various forms of communication, I mentioned how useful blogs and social networking sites can be. I specifically mentioned the IamTri website as an example of how athletes can connect, interact and support each other. I let the committee know that information and connections that I made on IamTri and another local triathlon bulletin board were paramount in my Ironman training process and successful race completion.
Now, fast forward to later in the meeting. One of the committee members is discussing activities and she makes a point of saying, “…we need to make our programs appealing to the average person. We can’t all be Ironmen…” At first I didn’t think much of it but then as it sunk in, it started to make me mad. So I thought to myself…”…Well, why the hell not?” I don’t have a big ‘S’ embroidered on my chest. I never played varsity sports in high school. A few years ago I couldn’t swim more than 100 yrds without stopping for a rest. How dare you imply that this was somehow easy for me.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that every out of shape individual out there should go out and start signing up for endurance events. However, what makes one person say “I could never do that,” and another person say, “I will do this.” This mindset is the key to success not only in Ironman but in life. The key to motivating individuals is getting them to turn that corner from the negative/self defeating mindset to one of confidence and determination. So how does this happen? We’ve all seen the videos on YouTube and heard the inspirational stories of Ironman athletes who have overcome what would seem to be insurmountable odds. How do we bottle that up and get it to the masses?
No one is born an Ironman. I saw all kinds of people in all shapes and sizes out on the IMKY course. At some point all of us have doubted our ability to do this. What was the turning point to get from “I can’t” to “I will.” Fellow Ironman athletes, I ask how did this happen for you? I believe that addressing this mindset will be the key to the success or failure of our fledgling wellness program. I appreciate any insight you all can give.
-
Permalink Reply by Skip Slade on -
First, don't take offense to the remark as MOST people have that opinion, even if they DO exercise regularly. The average person MAY be able to do an Ironman, but the average person is not GOING to do it because it takes determination, commitment, and consistency. You may not have an "S" on your chest but you do have an Mdot and not everyone can say that! Don't minimize that.
Most people need to start off slow even if they eventually go long and do an IM. They need "small" successes and short term goals to want to stick with it. Finishing a 5K, losing 5 lbs, making one healthy food choice consistently... all things that will help put them on the right track to success, however it's defined.
I don't know how you started out but I started by getting back into swimming, then did a 5K, then a mile ocean swim, then an aquathon. Then came a couple of sprint tri's, a 10K, an olympic tri, a century ride, a half marathon... etc. For me it took measured steps to believe an IM was possible. Others don't need that step-by-step but I did.
And one more thing, you and I don't think doing an IM is crazy, but others do and nothing is going to convince them otherwise. And that's not all bad!
-
Permalink Reply by Rick Baldwin on -
If your employer is serious about an effective wellness program then it does need to appeal to "the average worker". Build a program that focuses on small steps AND consistency using exercise activities that are both inexpensive and relatively easy to do like walking, stair-steppers, exercise bike etc. Have a method in place to track progress, and publicly recognize those employees who do show progress and consistency. My company does quarterly weight loss challenges and has an in-house nurse to assist those who sign up for the challenge.
Within my work group, there are fit people, not-so-fit, and morbidly obese people. The fit people are, by nature, self-motivated and do not need their employer to wave a carrot in front of their face. The morbidly obese folks have a long laundry list of excuses, well rehearsed, as to why they choose a sedentary lifestyle. Your company should go after the middle group that just needs a slight kick-in-the pants and words of encouragement.
Ultimately, each employee needs to decide on their own to get off their rear end and develop healthy habits.
Companies may soon be forced to charge their employees for the unhealthy lifestyle they lead by raising health care premiums for those who fall into higher risk categories. Hitting someone in their wallet may prove to be an effective way to address a national problem.
Ironman athletes are not necessarily good "poster-athletes" for a healthy lifestyle. Ironman athletes are viewed as obsessive-compulsive, somewhat selfish, and outside the social-norm by many other people. Sure, some of it is simple jealousy as to what you have accomplished, but those same accomplishments make some people feel uncomfortable and inferior when they are around fit athletes (not just Ironman Athletes). Your training regiment gives them an instant excuse, because they don't "have 15 hours a week to train".
-
Permalink Reply by Ric Johnsen on -
I think that Skip has summed it pretty nicely. I consider myself an average athlete, but I have an uncommon commitment to success and achieving goals. Mental toughness is the true difference between Ironman finishers and average athletes.
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Key on -
Ric, your response makes me think we were separated at birth, only you got all the fast genes.
-
Permalink Reply by Tim Connelly on -
Jay - I use the following mindset (keeping it simple):
Celebrate the incremental successes, go farther in small increments, be patient, be consistent.
Why? Because I never thought I could do an Ironman. It just seemed so far, too far. Too much training. Now I've done two. Remember when a 50 mile bike ride seemed incredibly far?? Now it's a shorter ride for many of us. But I got there incrementally, patiently, over time. And because it takes time, you have to celebrate the small successes along the way to help stay motivated. As for a turning point, I didn't say "I can" until I crossed the finish line of my first Iron distance race. Until that point, I didn't know if I could. But putting in the time and putting myself to the test was all part of the experience of getting there. If one tries, they'll never regret they did. If they don't try, they might regret they didn't.
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Key on
-
There is no great goal achieved without greater sacrifice. Improvise, adapt, overcome.
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Swanson on -
I learned a phrase from an assistant coach in high school football that works great for "I Will."
"If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't you can't. If you'd like to win but don't think you can it is almost a cinch you won't. For on this field you'll find that success begins with a fellas will. It's all in a state of mind."
Go from there.
-
Permalink Reply by Sarah McCoy on
-
The I WILL for me...
There is NO WHERE in the Bible or in writing anywhere else for that matter that says I must die pretty.
Why watch t.v. and live through someone else's experiences when I have my own life, my own body and my opportunities to experience life to the fullest?
I stand naked every morning in my bathroom...motivation right there baby!!!
I have two beautiful daughters who need me around for a super long time. As a mom it is my job to be there for them. That means I need to live a healthy lifestyle as much as possible so I can be on earth as long as possible for them. Bonus...they see what it takes to work hard, be dedicated, goal oriented and the joys exercise brings to one's life. My daughters love watching inspirational triathlon videos, they love going to my races, they love being part of the fun...they can't wait to do their first one next summer.
My students keep me focused. I'm their Health teacher and there are too many teachers out there who say what to do but don't do what they say...I WILL NOT BE THAT TEACHER!!! I try my best to live the messages I teach. You never know when one of them may see you out in the community...how horrible would it be for them to see me doing something I say don't do? UGH! I loose all respect of them...I have over 150 students right now...classroom management would suck if I didn't have their respect.
Lastly...it's me...it's me who wants to do this. No one is forcing me, no one said I have to do it...I said I have to do it. Gosh darn it and I'm going to achieve it! Life is about the experiences! I want to enjoy my experiences...to experience life I need to be healthy. The shirts and medals are all bonuses! :)
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Jimenez on
-
This is great! Just think about how popular 'reality' TV is. That is basically people sitting around watching other people live thier lives on TV. How pathetic is that?
-
-
Exactly! I used to be addicted to reality t.v. and my marriage was getting neglected. We'd come home, make dinner, do the kid thing, and then watch t.v. There was minimual interaction between us as a couple. So a few years ago we canceled our cable and it's amazing how our time has been filled with various sports and activities for the kids, personal workouts, "going crazy" (random car trips to various places just to go there), conversation, laughter, sleeping bag races down the stairs, etc. Life is fun!!! I don't want to see someone else having fun...let me, let my family...let us have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
-
One thing I get asked quite often is how do you relax then? Well, I love taking a bath, reading magazines about how to improve on the bike (aka bike porn) or in other areas of training, I drink hot cocoa, flip the switch on the fire place (yep flip the switch...our great great grandparents would be rolling in their grave right?), travel, spend time on IAMTRI and Facebook, sleep, go out to restaurants to eat, have friends over, play board games, listen to music, travel more, lay in the sun, go to the beach, go camping, sit/lay in silence, yoga. I will say I enjoy watching a good football or baseball game but I tend to like going to the games much more than watching them on t.v. If I have to watch it on t.v. I tend not to stay as focused. :)
© 2012 Created by iAmTri.
