3 Mental Pitfalls You Should Avoid to Reach Success
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We all want success in our lives and sometimes knowing what you shouldn’t do is just as important as knowing what you should do. This applies not only to your workouts in the gym, it applies to your diet, your job, and even your personal life success! Avoiding these mental pitfalls will help you reach your goals faster and build a strong mindset that will help you in and out of the gym.
Progressing on your fitness journey, it can be easy to fall into traps that will stall your progress or even lead you to fall back. Obviously this is NOT what we want to happen. These 3 pitfalls are among the most notable and if you can avoid them or learn to overcome them, your chances of success are much greater.
- Comparing Yourself to Others
This is by far the most notorious pitfall and at one point or another, we have all likely done this. We see someone in the gym or on social media that is in great shape, successful, and everything we wish we could be. By that measure we deem ourselves a failure and the negative freight train starts rolling. When you see these people and start making comparisons, keep this in mind. That person didn’t start with what you started with. That person has not faced the adversities you have. They are not on the same journey you’re on. So if that person was in your shoes, would he or she be as successful? No one knows. It’s your journey and your success. Comparing success is not logical or possible, especially when it comes to fitness. Fitness is relative, and the only way to reliably measure success is by becoming a better you!
- Using Soreness to Measure Success/Failure of a Workout
We’re all familiar with that initial soreness that came after those first few workouts. Eventually that soreness subsides and we move on. We’re also aware that as time goes by, that soreness decreases. Another mistake that many of us have believed is if we’re not as sore then the workout wasn’t as productive. The fact is our bodies adapt to the trauma that’s placed upon it from training. If it’s prepared for something, then it can adapt. So while pain isn’t a good barometer to measure with, there are other ways like feeling the muscles working throughout the training session, if you completed all the sets and reps you planned to, and if strength or endurance is improving.
- Stopping at a Down Moment
There will be days that some workouts aren’t as productive as others. There will also be days that mentally you’re not running on all cylinders either. It was a bad day overall, something went wrong, you were distracted, or maybe you weren’t feeling particularly confident that day. While stopping and taking a day for mental health is a good call, don’t let whatever you’re facing stop you long term. Doing that will be a step in the wrong direction which can lead to more negative issues. Remember that the best way to make progress is to do something, anything that will move you towards success. Whatever bad times you’re facing isn’t the norm, just remember that it’s temporary and don’t take your eyes off your long term goals.
Answers You Want To Know
1. How can I prevent my mind from sabotaging my efforts?
One of the biggest mental pitfalls that you should avoid is quitting before you even start. Quitting can cause you to feel defeated and discouraged, which will only lead to more negative thoughts and sabotaging behavior. Instead of quitting, try to take on new challenges and challenge yourself mentally. This will help keep your mind active and engaged. Stay positive and believe in yourself! No one ever reached their goals by giving up easily.
2. What is one technique that has helped me stay focused throughout the tough times?
One technique that has helped me stay focused through tough times is the Pomodoro Technique. This time management strategy involves breaking tasks down into 25 minute intervals and working on one task at a time. This helps to reduce distractions, focus on work, and improve your productivity overall. Additionally, you can try other techniques like writing every day for 30 minutes or keeping a daily journal of your thoughts and progress. Doing so will help you capture your thoughts and keep track of your progress in a systematic way.
3. How can I overcome any obstacles that might stand in my way of success?
Believe in yourself. No one can do it all alone, and if you're going to achieve anything in life, you're going to need to believe in yourself.
- Reframe your goals: When you set lofty goals that are impossible to achieve, you put yourself up against insurmountable odds. Instead, set goals that challenge you but still feel attainable.
- Stay positive: When things get tough, we often retreat into negative thinking. This only leads to disappointment and frustration. Instead, stay positive and focus on the positives.
Look at any setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Set modest goals that still give you a sense of accomplishment. Letting go of unrealistic expectations will help you stay motivated and focused during difficult times.