I have been having some pretty awesome conversations lately. As I shared recently, I’m changing my business - not just in geographic region because of our family’s move - but I’m also revamping the way I deliver. I’m learning a lot from listening. And I’m observing some real miracles in action.
Over time, I’ve heard hundreds of women tell me they want to “lose weight” or “get stronger”. Don’t we all? But sometimes we don’t even know why we’re saying this until we’re asked “Why?”
❓Why do you want to improve your physical fitness?
Believe it or not, most of us soccer moms and professional women are not actually dreaming of six-pack abs anymore. On the other hand, appearance and body image fears can still trigger some serious shame. So, a second look from our husbands as we leave the room can fill us up more than we’re often willing to admit.
Additionally, most of us ladies aren’t after ribbons, trophies or championship rings. But, we are competitors. We kick ass in LIFE! We run departments, businesses, events and households. We make thousands of decisions every day. We regularly push ourselves beyond our limits. We’re athletes in our own rights. Therefore, often as an outlet, we love our sport (cycling, running, swimming, chasing toddlers through Target, etc.). And we just might have a shadowbox full of race bibs and medals that nobody else needs to see.
But I hear the most powerful self-reflections take form when clients let their guards down and go even a few layers deeper, beyond the body-image issues and the desires to compete and win. There is a connection that occurs when we own the notion that our physical health is fundamental to directing our lives and our stories. Bottom line: we want to survive. And as a bonus we would love to go about the planet NOT wasting energy on aches, pains and immobilities.
The women I work with are committed. I’m constantly in awe of their focus and willingness to sustain consistent investment in their development in order to be there for their kids, to be valuable and effective managers, to lead communities (and, I’ll say it!) to turn heads and take home medals.
It’s no surprise that the deeper they go in defining the reasons behind their goals, the more progress they make and faster. And the momentum is magical!