A Wren Says

Sometimes you take challenges that have you thinking was, “This might be my dumbest idea ever,” because it pushes you so far outside of your comfort zone that you can’t help but question your intelligence for having taken the leap. And then when you do reach your goal, you’re amazed at your capabilities and proud of your accomplishments.

I feel like that right now. I took on a challenge. Multiple excuses rolled through as to why I couldn’t do it. 10 classes in 15 days. A quick background: This is not just going to the gym. These are classes that the company itself advises you not to take more than 3 classes per week to get adequate rest. These are classes where I myself have felt sore for days afterward.

I have to leave for a trip near the end of the time frame, meaning I’d only have 12 days to get it all done, instead of 15. I work two jobs. Where would I find the time? But more importantly, have you seen traffic these days? How would I get across town after work in time to make the classes? So many reasons why I couldn’t do it. I wanted to finally find the reason that I could.  

I thought of writing to the company and asking if they would be willing to adjust the challenge and associate the prize with a more reasonable number of classes. After all, it would be the most prudent thing to do. But I couldn’t shake the idea of participating. Something in me wanted to take on the challenge. I had been sitting on the couch too many days outside of my one class day a week. And let’s not even talk about my diet and constant dehydration. Something needed to change. Maybe it was time to do something crazy.

So, I bought a 10 class pack, booked 10 classes during the time period and got started. And surprising myself, I completed the challenge. This is how I feel about that now.

EMPOWERED

That is how I would sum it up in one word. I learned that I could do more than what I was limited myself to. But beyond being able to meet the physical challenge, I learned more from the mindset that it took to get me there.

 Because I had a goal that was time restricted, I knew that I would have to plan things out in advance. Somehow, I was able to get to all of these classes despite my busy schedule because I prebooked everything and then worked around it. I have always known/sensed that much of my success, no matter the domain, would be restricted by my refusal to plan. Now I have concrete evidence that not only can I set and keep to a schedule but that it is vital to me. It was a help to me, not an unnecessary chore.

I gave myself permission to just show up. On those days where I was sore, I let just getting to the class be enough. I didn’t force myself to go hard. I didn’t beat myself up for taking breaks. All that I needed to was not quit on myself and only worry about giving my best in the moment.

I also found myself being more conscious to drink more water and manage my diet to maximize my recovery. I stretched my body after class. Having that one goal encouraged me to shift other aspects of my life to meet it. I can make changes in my life. I am not destined to be stuck in negativity. I just need to make sure that I have big enough why.

What I learned from that challenge will shift how I approach goal-setting in the future. I am so thankful that I didn’t send in that email. I am so thankful that I allowed myself to stretch beyond my limits and grow my potential.