Top 10 Fitness Commandments #9: Keep the faith in what you are doing (aka spirit and faith)

Have you ever gotten really frustrated with the process of doing something; whether you loved or hated what you were doing? I have! Whether it has been working out in order to achieve a certain fitness goal, going through both Marine Corps boot camp, officer candidate school, and the corresponding follow-on educations that came with being a United States Marine, going through a doctoral level education program that felt like the stress would never let up, or managing physical pain that seems like it will never go away.

I have found myself in each one of these situations. They all came with both a physical and mental challenge that can often make a person begin to question why they started off on the path to begin with. When we are in the middle of a new, demanding, or challenging process, the stress we feel can often blind us to our own progress. When we are blind to that progress, the doubts and considerations of letting go become real options. If we let those doubts take hold, we may actually decide to stop moving forward, never really achieving what we had originally set out to accomplish. Keeping the faith that what we are doing, is allowing ourselves to evolve our future success.

For example, when I decided to go back to graduate school to attend the University of Findlay’s Physical Therapist Assistant to Doctorate of Physical Therapy Weekend Transition program, I was not sure what to truly expect until, I got into the first semester. When I started this program, I was willing to give up dating, hanging out with others, traveling, and other fun stuff that would have possibly impaired my success. As each semester went by, the credit load increased and more work had to be done. However, as I took on day at a time, one class at a time, I began to chip away at the program and before I knew it, I was set to begin clinicals, then I was set and ready for the board exam. Now as a licensed physical therapist I can look back on those days not only with fond memories but the pride of not letting up!

There are many scenarios in life that if we quite in the middle, it can change life’s trajectory. Maybe for the better but also as likely for the worse. It is through these difficult times that sharpens the blade of our inner will, mental strength, and ability to endure.

Keep the faith that what you are going to pursue or are in the middle of will come full circle with the prize at the other end!

Action Step:

Consider planning the process on a white board or in a journal.

Repeat daily and weekly until the whole task has been accomplished.

Use visualization to help stay connected to the ultimate goal.