Finish The Drill
Here’s the set-up… I’ve explained the exercise, done the demo, fielded questions, and now it’s time for the team to try the new movement. Some athletes will catch on immediately, some will be uncomfortable but still manage, and some will be completely confused. If one of my totally confused athletes stops and restarts the drill, then everything becomes askew; players collide, and it gets messy. To reduce this risk, I coach my athletes to “Finish the drill!”
Finishing the drill means that you don’t stop halfway through or when you make a mistake. It means you work it out. It may be uncomfortable, and you may be awkward with it, but you finish. After you finish, we can talk about tweaks and how to make improvements. If you repeatedly stop and start you tend to eventually find that end range where you no longer want to restart. It becomes too frustrating, you’ve failed too many times, you’re embarrassed… you name the reason – I’ve heard them all. BUT if we keep pushing forward, keep practicing, and actually create the space to learn from our mistakes then we can develop the movement or habit.
Do not expect your first “run-through” to be your best attempt. There is a high chance that you will need to make tweaks and adjustments. There is also a high chance that you may fail occasionally and THAT IS OKAY! As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not what we occasionally do that defines us.
In reference to training goals, maybe you missed some sessions, ate more on vacation than planned, or are simply just struggling to fit training into your lifestyle… this does NOT mean you should quit or that you’ve failed. You simply need to adjust.
Having trouble with accountability? – sign up for an outdoor class, find a Coach/Trainer, or commit to a training buddy (we are typically more accountable to others than we are to ourselves).
Can’t find the time? – micro-dose your workouts: 20min here, 30min there (who said we had to do them all at once?)
Struggling with nutrition? – talk with a nutritionist and make a plan (this isn’t free, but we only get one body and our health is worth the investment)
Not getting results or feeling bored? – mix it up! Try different modalities - weightlifting, yoga, spin, dancing, rock climbing, tennis, swimming, biking, whatever! (this list can be endless). Moving our bodies should be enjoyable 90% of the time! Find something you like doing so that you will WANT to repeat it. (doing something because you are “supposed to” never works – find something you like; even if it’s not cool or trendy)
For most of us training does not have to be (or need to be) an ALL IN or ALL OUT situation. Moving efficiently at least 150 minutes or doing 75 min of rigorous exercise per week is the Center for Disease Control’s standard prescription for exercise to lead to a reduced risk of diseases - there are 10,080 minutes in a week. You do not have to be a meat head, a cardio queen or a CrossFit junkie to find a way to spare 150min a week.
Keep your head up. Choose movement that makes you happy and FINISH THE DRILL!
