How we consistently do anything is how we do everything.

I strongly believe, how we do one thing is how we do anything. So, as a health and fitness coach I use the gym as an example (although you can use anything as an example). I’ve seen it for myself in my own life, how I consistently behave in the realm of fitness has not only revealed, but magnified my character at that time (mindsets, attitudes, beliefs). Although coincidentally enough, over time my physical attributes (strength, body composition, performance etc.) reflected my internal attitudes and mindsets that I consistently put into practice (one way of our intangible internal world creates our tangible external world).

Some common themes I have seen:

• Quit early or when it’s “good enough”?

• Run away from things outside your comfort zone?

• Give up when it’s painful?

• Endless excuses for why you ‘can’t’?

• Driven by ego? Constantly comparing yourself to others in an unhealthy way, needing to be recognized, to stand out, to be better than others

• Inner drill sergeant beating you up when you have an off day?

• Is each rep, set, workout a means to an end, or are you there in the moment enjoying what you’re doing? (if you don’t enjoy it you’ll never stick with it).

• Are you at the gym out of fear? (Fear of gaining weight, of losing strength or muscle mass, of acquiring health issues etc.)

• Do you avoid the gym out of fear, doubt, discomfort, inconvenience?

• Or are you at the gym out of love? (Because you love yourself and you’re grateful that you have an able body that you can move)

These are patterns that are embedded deep within our minds, but it’s important to note that nothing is permanent, going from strong to weak character is just as simple as going from weak to strong character (simple hardly translates to easy). No one is perfect, these theme’s are shown in the gym but they can be present in all areas of our lives.

I have used the gym as a mirror, a way of showing me where there’s deficits in my strength of mind and character that affect all areas of my life. I have used the gym, but you can use anything as a mirror showing you the same things. The key is that when we have the awareness, we need to practice accountability, owning those flaws out of kindness and compassion to be slightly better next time, not just in the gym, but in life.

Better doesn’t necessarily mean you lifted more, ran faster or pushed harder. For many of us it means realizing that less is more. It may mean we were more kind to ourselves, celebrating small victories and not being so hard on ourselves. It might mean lifting less weight because we are no longer driven by ego, comparing ourselves to the next person. Conversely, better could mean not giving into excuses for why we can’t go to the gym, it could mean giving that extra bit of effort, choosing to walk into the things that scare you or make you uncomfortable.

Finding your ‘mirror’ is important because it can be a fuse that will ignite change in your life. When we can OBJECTIVELY see the mindsets, attitudes, and beliefs that hold us back, we gained arguably the most crucial piece that contributes to change, growth, transformation in our lives - awareness. If we aren’t aware of what is holding us back, we can never make a change. Awareness is empowering because it brings to light the unconscious mindsets, attitudes, beliefs, fears, and patterns many of us live in. Having awareness gives us a choice to continue acting out of the same inner patterns that have brought us to where we are; or we can choose to rise above, to do something different, to change our lives.

Remember, how you consistently do one thing, is how you do anything.

A message to you and me,

Happy New Year.