Breaking Personal Records: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Just this past Sunday, I hit a personal record (PR) in my deadlift—325 pounds. For anyone who lifts, you know that PRs don’t happen every day, especially after years of training. They require consistency, discipline, preparation, and, most of all, the right mindset. But as much as we celebrate these moments in the gym, how often do we recognize the PRs we hit in our careers and personal lives?

Personal Records Beyond the Gym

PRs happen more often than we think. They happen every time you step outside your comfort zone, push past a previous limit, or accomplish something more significant than before. Think about the last time you:

? Gave an important presentation with confidence.

? Closed a deal that once felt out of reach.

? Made a cold call or blocked time to prospect.

? Navigated a tough conversation with a direct report or colleague.

? Led a project that forced you to develop new skills, despite you feeling you could not.

These are all personal records. But do we celebrate them the same way we celebrate hitting a milestone in the gym or a new career achievement? Often, we don’t. We just check the box (literally) and move on.

Why? Because we’re conditioned to normalize progress rather than celebrate it. We hit one goal, and instead of pausing to acknowledge it, we shifted our focus to the next one.

The Mindset Behind Goals, Breakthroughs & PR's

There’s a famous quote and one of my absolute favorites! "Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right." — Henry Ford

Before I hit that 325-pound deadlift, I had to believe I could. I had to mentally commit to the lift before physically attempting it. The same principle applies to work and life.

How often do we tell ourselves limiting stories before walking into a meeting or taking on a new challenge? I’m not good at public speaking. I’ll never be as successful as my peers. I don’t have what it takes to lead this project. Hello IMPOSTER SYNDROME ANYONE?!

Would you ever talk to a direct report, colleague, friend, child or family member that way? We would never think telling our kids, "Don't bother, you will fail, you will fall" "You will be so nervous in that presentation, I'm sure you will be criticized, you might be better off delegating it to someone smarter or more successful."- NO WAY!

And then, sure enough, we live out that narrative.

But what if you flipped that mindset? I can handle this presentation—I’m prepared and knowledgeable. I am building my skills, and every step forward is progress. I am capable of leading this project with confidence.

When I train for a PR, I don’t walk up to the barbell thinking, this is impossible. I visualize the lift. I trust my preparation (I slept well, warmed up, and was consistent in the progress leading up to it). I tell myself, I’ve got this. And most of the time? I do. It is the same idea and thought process I have trained myself to have. This is before I deliver a super custom program, that I have never facilitated. I tell myself that I have prepared intentionally, have done my homework, and prepared the best content for my clients!

This isn’t just anecdotal—science backs it up. Studies on self-efficacy, like Albert Bandura showcase this.

Lifting Others & Lifting Ourselves

We lift our teams and our colleagues. We push through tough presentations, lead complex projects, and make decisions that affect our careers. Each of these is an opportunity to hit a new PR—but only if we approach it with the right mindset.

If I had walked into last week’s workout thinking, I can’t lift this, I would have been right. Mindset sets the stage for performance! Check out this article and Table 1 specifically Link here

Where Do You Need to Hit a Personal Record?

Think about a big, audacious goal in your life. Maybe it’s… Speaking at a major industry event. Asking for a raise or promotion. Writing that book or launching a side business. Finally, prioritizing your health! Significant results don’t just happen—they’re built through consistent effort and the belief that they are possible.

Tactics to Shift Your Mindset for Your Next Goal

1. Track Your Wins – Keep a journal of professional and personal achievements. Seeing progress over time builds confidence. (I do this weekly. Throughout the week in my planner, I track daily wins.)
2. Visualize Success – Before a big moment, imagine yourself succeeding. Studies show that visualization improves performance (Forbes-Visualization Article)
3. Reframe Negative Self-Talk – Speak to yourself like you would to a trusted friend, family member or a young child. Would you tell a colleague they’re going to fail? No!! So don’t say it to yourself.
4. Seek Out Growth Environments. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. A strong, positive environment builds a winning mindset. If others around you don't believe in you or keep you small, it's time to change your circle. Amazing coaches and support networks that coach you and support you are critical. If you are with people who believe you have a ceiling, you will have barriers. Hire coaches, mentors, find them like your life depends on it! Shout out to Coach Oliver Kaczor for filming this PR and cheering me on this PR!
5. Celebrate the Small Wins – Every step forward is a PR in some way. Acknowledge and celebrate progress.

Final Thought: Your Next PR Starts Now

That PR last week reminded me that mindset is everything! Whether it's in the gym, at work, or in life, we are constantly setting and breaking records! A spiritual journey, a meditation practice you start, starting a new hobby or going to an event or activity by yourself and stretching your comfort zone!

So, what’s the next big PR in your life? And more importantly, do you believe you can hit it? Who are your amazing coaches and mentors who help you rise up to the next level? Shout out to some of those amazing people (there are too many to count: Ian Koniak Davidson Hang Edwin Aristor, MBA Shalee Schafeitel Stéphane Schafeitel Mandi Morgan

Let me know in the comments, or shoot me a message I'd love to celebrate your breakthroughs and PR's in life! Cheers to an amazing week ahead!