Inner strength. Getting what you want from your workout, you job, and your life takes mental strength. Here is how to find yours!
Imagine yourself in a cycle class your exhausted but your instructor tells you to add gear because we are going up a hill! You could pretend to add gear, after all you are tired and last night was a late night. Or you could channel your strength and energy and show that hill who’s boss!!
If you choose to charge over the hill, chances are you’ve got grit – the tenacity and stamina to work hard in pursuit of a goal, despite obstacles or setbacks. While talent and skills are important for getting ahead, grit is actually the biggest predictor of how successful you’ll ultimately be, research shows.
“When it comes to achieving the goals that matter most, grit trumps talent, smarts, privileges, and luck,” says the leading researcher Paul G. Stolz, Ph.D. the author of Grit: The New Sciences of What It Takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed. “Anything worth accomplishing in life is tough. Without grit, you’ll never get there.”
Having grit means that you’re going after things you want, and not letting obstacles hold you back! So learning that fit people are generally have more grit, according to research. “People who work out regularly usually have more energy and discipline and more experience with pain and sacrifice, and they put more effort into their goals,” explains Stoltz.
The cool thing is the grit is something you can develop! While are genetic makeup does play a role, but also so does the way you were raised. So how can you develop your grit? Here are some things you can do.
- Find a goal that you’re truly passionate about.
- Be clear about what you want.
- Surround yourself with gritty people
- Give yourself permission to fail.
- See setbacks as opportunities.
- Define yourself as someone who doesn’t give up.
Wherever you start, you can increase your grit. “When properly exercised and trained, grit can be strengthened just like a muscle,” Stolz says.
Sometimes you need grit NOW! When you have a set of Tabatas to do or a plank on the Reformer or Bodhi, you might need some instant grit! The number one thing you can do is picture yourself succeeding. “Whether it’s envisioning yourself crossing the finishing line, hearing people cheering for you, or taking a bite of your favorite post workout meal when the race is over, imagery can help shift your emotions into a positive place, which will help you get through that difficult moment,” says sport psychologist Gloria Petruxxrlli, Ph.D. Another great tool is repeating a powerful mantra like “I’ve got this!” These types of messages boost your confidence and remind yourself of what you are capable of!
Believe and achieve!
Tall Girl Pilates 