A couple weeks ago, sitting on the shore at Lake Tahoe, my friend Kari was deciding whether or not to go for an open water swim in the lake (in preparation of the triathalon I’d talked her into and then spent the rest of my time making excuses for why I couldn’t do the workouts). I’d said I might do it too, but knew in my heart of hearts that after saying that, I’d find some excuse, any excuse, to keep me from doing it. The water was COLD!!!
So as she sat there, preparing herself mentally, I asked her if she was going to go. Her response was:
"Yeah…I’ll be disappointed in myself if I don’t."
I’ve thought a lot about that statement in the last couple weeks. I think that is the COOLEST motivation for doing something. Most of the time, the first person I’ll disappoint is myself. In fact, I’ll please someone else at the cost of disappointing myself sometimes. And the fact is, the person that I was working around probably didn’t care that much one way or the other, but then I spent time feeling bad about myself for whatever reason. That is so respectful of yourself to do things for yourself. To keep yourself feeling happy with yourself and proud of yourself. I’ve totally adopted that thinking.
Inspired, I went for the swim in the freezing, frigid water. I almost drowned at first (an exaggeration) because it took my breath away, but managed to live through it.
And then I came home and put away my excuses and have been training hard for this triathalon. I think I can do it. Because I would be disappointed in myself if I didn’t.
And giving myself that respect has made me really happy with myself. It’s so cool because there’s not just the benefit of not feeling bad about yourself, but usually and additional bonus of feeling really good about yourself on top of that.
The whole thing is just super cool. It’s simple, really…I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me before. But thanks to that one comment that hit me like a ton of bricks, I’m thinking about it now.
Thanks, KP.
10 Comments
That is cool.
I think as moms we kind of forget about disappointing ourselves.
Thanks for the reminder.
thanks, i needed that
I so could have written this, these thoughts have taken over my brain lately and you know what, I really like that:) I just finished walking 60 miles for Breast Cancer and I trained hard to do it, I’ve been on a high ever since and I’m proud of myself. I honestly think that that is the first compliment I given myself in a looooong time.
I found your blog from another link a while ago and love it…Thank you for this!! I needed it! I have been working hard to take off wome weight and so far have lost 20 lbs. and seemed to have lost motivation latelty but I think this is what I needed to get me started again..I don’t want to let myself down!
Yay Shannon! I’m rooting for you!
Wow…this hit home! Big truth in such a small space. Thanks to you (and Kari) for this eye-opener.
You go girl!!
(Worth scrapping this tidbit?)
this sure hit home! thanks for the reminder and the inspiration to just be!
Very cool, Shanny.
so cool, shannon!
i will be thinking
of you–best of luck
in your training!
What a good motivational blog!