Yesterday I posted on FaceBook the
Words of Wisdom as being “If you can’t see yourself on top then you won’t get
there.” What does this mean?
I
got this quote from the forever philosophical climbing partner of my friend
Erik Weihenmayer. If you’ve read Erik’s book, or heard him talk, then you’ve
heard him mention his friend Chris Morris. Chris and Erik were talking at
Everest basecamp one day. Chris asked Erik if he thought he’d stand on top of
Everest. And Erik said he wasn’t sure because they’d had such a difficult time
so far. And Chris said, “Then you won’t.”
We
need to remember that if we want to get somewhere and to define our own success
then we need to not just set a goal, but we need to see ourselves pushing along
that path. We need to see ourselves accomplishing that goal. If we can’t see
ourselves being successful then we won’t be.
I
often see this with clients in group exercise and spin. They’re all excited
about the possibility of losing weight and getting in better shape. Then they
jump on the bike or start an ab routine. Then suddenly they lose that vision.
In my spin classes, especially, I try to paint a visual picture of the group
riding along a road, up a hill, or sprinting down a highway. In my own personal
workouts I take the visualization factor to the extreme.
I
love cycling. At one point I used to fanticize about competing in bicycle
races. During the month of July, you can often find the Tour de France playing
on our television. I watch and listen to the commentators talk about how hard
it is to climb the Alps and Pyrenees. I read accounts of cyclists. Then, when
it’s time for my workout, I put myself in that mindset. I visualize myself on
the road in my cycling gear. I imagine my shoes clipped into the pedals turning
between 90 and 100 RPMs. I feel the sweat rolling down my face and I see the
black top of the road melting underneath the broiling sun. I feel the bite in
my legs as the road begins to steepen. I see myself climbing up a mountainside
on a bike. I feel the rush of adrenaline as my #1 adversary comes into view
ahead of me. I feel that urge to get out of the saddle and push myself until my
heart explodes out of my chest, until my legs burn and are so heavy it feels
like I can’t turn the pedals anymore. And then I see my opponent slipping away
and I feel the burst again.
The
funny thing is, I hardly ever get out on a road bike anymore. Most of the time
I’m sitting on a stationary bike at our gym listening to music. My fiancée has
been known to come up and tell me that the hour is almost up and I’ve nearly
jumped out of my skin because I’m being jerked out of the zone.
That’s
what it takes. If you want to get to the top, then you have to see yourself
getting there. You have to put yourself in the mindset you think you’d have
when you reach your goal. You can’t just set a goal. You need to visualize
yourself getting there. Immerse yourself in the mental game. Feel your heart
pound, that sense of euphoria as you accomplish that goal. See the people
around you. Hear what they’re going to say to you. Feel the pats on your back.
We
all have the ability to reach our goals. You have to have the vision and you
have to experience it in 360 degrees. That’s what’s going to help you push
yourself through the tough times. That’s what’s going to help you get through
the monotony of doing the same or similar things over and over and over and
over and over again.
So
give it a try. Pick a goal that you’ve set for yourself. Maybe you want to lose
weight—a favorite goal for many during this “obesity epidemic.” Can you picture
yourself having that sleak, toned, sexy body? Can you feel yourself move
effortlessly up and down the stairs in your house? Can you hear your friends
and family say “OMG! You’re looking amazing!”
If
you can then you’re well on your way to accomplishing your goal. You’ve still
got some work to do. Nothing comes easily.
So
for now, just take a few minutes out of your day, sit back and visualize
yourself reaching a goal. Get yourself pumped and fired up. Feel the energy
course, hum and thrum through your body.
And when you can totally immerse yourself in that visual, let me know. Drop me
a line on FaceBook or Tweet at me.
Keep an eye on my various Social
Media for updates.
Until next time.
-Kyle
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