Your only limit is you
Today is my last day of my Pilates Mat certification course, hence why this post is coming at you a day later. For the past 8 days, for 7 hours a day, I have been fully immersed into this course, learning more than I anticipated over the week. Learning and growing professionally is the only way to stay current, up to date, and offer your clients the most out of your time together in the fitness and health industry. There are different approaches to movement and things change over time so the learning never stops.
If you know me personally, or have followed along with me the last few years, you will know I have openly shared a lot about my anxiety. I have perfectionistic tendencies that used to hold me back in the past and cause me great stress and anxiety. It got to the point where I was unable to properly perform or function in the manner I was supposed to. Taking the course this week meant I was stepping out of my comfort zone once again and leaving the perfectionism behind. As we get older, I find it even more difficult to do this because our egos get in the way. The younger we are the less fear we have to try new things and potentially fail - because at some point we decided that as adults we must have it all together at all times.
For me, I am only 24, yet I have been in this industry for almost 6 years! I however recognize, and even more so after this week, that there is so much more to absorb and learn! I have also realized that I need to not let my perfectionist tendencies get in the way of my discomfort when learning new things because that is where all of the growth and change occurs. We may not like the feeling at the time but we definitely come out on top when we embrace it!
So what have I actually learned this week besides some new movements along the way?
- Trust the process. Let each day come as it is. Be proud of what you have accomplished in the learning process and look forward to getting better. Acknowledge the areas that need improvement and build on your strengths. It takes time to have it all come together.
- Have an open mind. Pilates is like nothing else I have ever taught, despite what I thought coming into the course. It has taken me all week to have a more open mind and attitude to the approach and thinking as it is different than what I am used to. I can now by the end of the week appreciate the bigger picture as I bring it all together with my previous knowledge.
- Be confident. When I know things I am confident. When I am unsure I am extremely unconfident. Own the uncomfortable and be confident and assertive that you know. When teaching a new format like Pilates, even instructors like myself can become nervous as we don’t feel confident about the movements just yet. However, I had to learn this week to be confident in what I know and go with it.
When putting ourselves out there to try something new or learn something we are unfamiliar with, we can often come in with a predetermined mindset of what are and aren’t capable of. Next time, I challenge you (and myself), to enter a new experience, confident in your current capabilities, and excited for the new knowledge you will gain. Think back to where you first started and remember that each small step gets you one step closer to your overarching goals and aspirations. Live in the uncomfortable because that is where the magic happens!
Be fierce. Be strong. Be vibrant.
Rachel
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