What exercise has taught me about confidence
Micha Goebig
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This week I am clocking my 250th Pilates Reformer class, and if my earlier M.O. held, I would now quit Pilates and start something new from zero.
You see, I am fiercely competitive (with others?and?myself) until I reach a first milestone like that – proof that I?can?get good at this new thing –?and then I lose interest pretty quickly.?
I’ve always felt a little embarrassed about this jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none approach to sports. My inner high-achiever (the one that can even turn meditation and yoga into a competition) used to be a loud voice and it would shame me a lot for “quitting,” which really takes the joy out of experimenting with new workouts.
While right now, I seriously hope to stay engaged in my Pilates routine (it's been a game-changer for me after my bad accident in 2020), I want to honor that having been a workout dabbler most of my life has taught me several valuable?lessons.
Most importantly, that I can trust my body to learn new things.?
There's nothing like switching it up to keep on your toes.?
With our bodies, we feel it in the form of sore muscles when we introduce a new movement.?It's the sign we are leaving our (physical) comfort zone.
It works the same way with our brain, too.?When we introduce new thoughts and beliefs, the brain may respond with discomfort or anxiety.
But let me remind you (yes, I am a bit of a broken record with this one):
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You need to be safe, but you?do not?need to be comfortable at all times.
Fact is, you need to be uncomfortable to grow.
And just like I can trust my body to learn new things because I have tried out so many different sports and workout routines, I have a strong belief that my brain can figure out and learn new things too.
Why wouldn't it??
From day 1 of our lives we've been learning and learning and learning so many different skills that most have become totally natural to us.?
So today, I want to invite you to welcome the thing that's freaking you out right now in your life. Just give it a cheerful “Welcome to the party!” as one of my favorite meditation teachers would say.
Chances are, it's the thing that gives you most opportunity to grow and strengthen your confidence muscle.
?How are you strengthening your physical and confidence muscles this week?
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3 年I love this! Dabbling is the best thing for your body as it doesn't give it long to adapt. Maintaining the same routines for years on end is what contributes to plateau and even regression. Keep it up!