Action Thursday - Fear of Failure - Developing the Mindsets to Overcoming Fear of Failure - Part 4

As a child when you learned to walk, you looked forward to each day with renewed energy. When you opened your eyes no one could keep you from trying again. You did not dwell on the past. You didn't allow yesterday's spill to hinder today's progress. It seemed as if you had forgotten all about falling on your butt. 

Here's Mindset #4 - Awake each day with renewed enthusiasm 

It’s time to let go of yesterday's failure because they do not define or determine tomorrow's success. They can only hinder you if you dwell on them and take your eyes off the prize, off your target. 

Use these action steps to generate enthusiasm. 

Action step #1 - Using Mindset #4 as an affirmation repeat with conviction, “I awake each day with renewed enthusiasm to achieve my goal. I release my fear from my past failures and I’m open to today’s successes.” 

Action step #2 – Focus on what you can do today that will bring you closer to your goal. What can you do differently than the other times that will better your chances of success? 

Action step #3 – What lessons did I learn from my previous mistakes. Look for the hidden gems in your last attempt. They’ve left clues for you to improve but you’ll only see them as you look, not with the eyes of failure, but with the mindset of enthusiasm to glean the invaluable lessons waiting for you to grasp.

Getting My Body Back Friday - Redirect Your Discouragement Energy Into Enthusiasm to Maximize Weight Loss

On your journey to achieving your ideal weight loss goal, discouragement may set in at times when you're not achieving your expectation. What do you do then to redirect the negative energy of discouragement into enthusiasm to maximize weight loss?

Instead of allowing the feeling of discouragement to consume you and tempt you into giving up, look for ways in which you can redirect your energy to give you better results.

Energy Redirection #1 - Shift gears

If what you're currently doing isn't working, it may be time for you to 'shift gears', try something different. When I first started out, I would do stretches and add some aerobic exercises in the mix. Even though I got some results, I felt that I wasn't satisfied and I wanted more. So I got outside and added brisk walking to my routine. Sure enough, my results increased.

Energy Redirection #2 - Expand on what you're already doing

If you're already walking, you can add other things to it, like swinging your hands back and forth (with elbows bent) so you're using more energy and getting more of your body involved. Add an extra mile onto your distance as well or jog for 1 minute, walk for 1 or 2 minutes, jog again for 1 minute. You'll find your body will start sweating at this rate of interval training making a perfect blend of high and low impact workout.

Energy Redirection #3 - Take it up a notch

Taking your exercise routine up a notch gets your body out of the comfort zone and into the fat burning zone. You may find that you're extending yourself just a bit more but this is where you begin to really maximize your efforts and produce even more results. Add weight training to your routine. Your muscles require a whole lot more energy for daily maintenance. Weight training will cause you to burn more fat and will continue to do so even beyond the actual workout session.

Another area you can also examine is your calorie intake to ensure that your output in energy usage, fat burning, is more than you're consuming.

Don't get discouraged but be encouraged and redirect your energy into a stronger healthier you!

Changing Inside Out Now! Getting my body back - Day 26

Get help

Whatever project you undertake, a workout partner can provide a good source of motivational assistance to keep you on track, especially when you get tired.

Working out with my 10 year old daughter has been quite encouraging for me because her support gives me that extra boost to push myself a bit further beyond my comfort zone.

On days when I feel a bit 'blah', she's there, full of enthusiasm, which provides with the extra motivational energy I need to keeping going. She's quite competitive and doesn't like to give up. Neither does she like it when someone says she can't do something. She gets even more determined to do it. She's very committed to our routine and that keeps me on my toes.

Perhaps you may need to consider getting a workout partner to assist you and keep you accountable and committed to your goal. Whether you join a group, ask a trusted friend or even your child, be sure to get the support you need.

Let's take a look at some of the qualities to look for in a workout partner that I've found helpful from my daughter:

1) Commitment - find someone who is committed to your success. Perhaps even more committed than you are.

2) Optimism - someone who is positive will always see the best when things get tough.

3) Enthusiasm - an upbeat person with a positive outlook will bring a lot of energy to the table with them which will flow over and energizing you in turn.

4) Motivation - with enthusiasm comes motivation. A person who is highly motivated to helping you achieve your goal will inspire you to pull up from deep within that extra zeal you need to keep moving toward your target.

When I'm doing my workout repetitions, whether for abs or thighs, my daughter may increase the number of repetitions. Even though I find myself always at 10 counts behind her, it still gives me the motivation I need to go beyond the norm and stretch further to a higher goal.

Fuelling words: Working with my workout partner helps me come out of my comfort zone and stretch to reach for a higher level.

Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.

Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.

Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.