Why is it that whenever someone says, “face the facts” you know you’re about to hear something you don’t want to hear? Probably because of a second cliché: “The truth hurts.”
But issues aren’t scary when we know there are solutions. Harsh truths are much more palpable when we know there is a roadmap to come out stronger on the other side. Today I would like to address three harsh truths that will help you get more out of your workout.
Anyone Can Work Hard When They Feel Like It
Habit formation is a further stage of learning. It depends on practice, experience, and repetition. No action ever becomes automatic by listening in words how to perform but without actually practicing it. Over and over again. Find a way to transform your workout from a “should” to a must.” As Tony says, “What’s unrealistic to average people is just unreasonable to extraordinary people. So be extraordinary, get unreasonable and everything becomes possible.” I agree with Tony. Get unreasonable and make it happen. You’ve heard many times that consistency is king. The first step is to form the habit.
Relevant Core Performance Quality (CPQ): “Personal progress is my priority.”
Anything Worth Doing Will Take More Time Than You Think
We’ve all heard it a gazillion times: it takes 10,000 hours to be an expert at something. But that’s incorrect. It’s actually worse…
It takes 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice” to become an expert. You’ve spent 10,000 hours driving and you’re not ready for NASCAR. “Deliberate practice” means you need to spend 10,000 hours focusing on your weaknesses and pushing yourself to your limit to improve them. That’s hard. Really hard. Start with your zones, control them, then add cadence, then add speed. With fatigue. And competition. Under pressure. On a technical course. Then go back and raise your zones. You get the point. Buckle up for being here for a while.
Relevant CPQ: “I use resource over force.”
Perfect Is the Enemy of Good Enough
Trying to make something perfect can actually prevent us from making it just good. Perfection in its elusive glory is like a unicorn. Sure it sounds great, but who’s actually seen one? I think I would rather ride a real horse than wait for an imaginary unicorn (sorry, Sophie).
Perfection can be a good thing: after all, that drive can push people to do great things. But it has a dark side too. The challenge of "perfection" can intimidate people so they don't even try. Exhibit A: the person who never even attempted the last interval, because they knew they weren’t going to be able to hit the numbers with prescribed transitions and cadence changes. This interval, while being uncomfortable and maybe far from perfect, is where the most growth occurs. Instead of idolizing the pinnacle of perfection, be stoked about good. Because in this case, you’re just about to make a breakthrough.
Relevant CPQ: “I am here to give, not to take.”
This article was written by CINCH Coach Holly Matthews
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