I was at the gym today (when I say 'today' what I mean is stupidly early today—so early it was dark when I arrived AND when I left!) and I nearly cheated.
It was one of those circuit-type classes where we're working our way round a combo of horrible exercises (did I mention I don't go to the gym for fun?!) and it was so tempting to cheat.
To get a good 'run up' at the lunge walks (I don't know the technical name, but you hold weights in your hands and lunge instead of walking) we were using the corridor. Now the corridor (as I am sure you can imagine) is outside of the gym, which means that for most of the time the 'evil' trainer (he's not actually evil, of course, just for that class) is NOT WATCHING you. He only sticks his head out the door a couple of times during the lunge walk. And I found myself thinking... I could SO cheat on this one! There would be absolutely no way of anyone knowing I'm not strolling down this corridor (ready to lunge when I see that face pop round the door of course!) and NOT doing the exercise.
I absolutely thought about cheating. Because at this point I was already sweating in a most unladylike fashion—huffing and puffing and, frankly, knackered. I really wanted to cheat. The idea of a quick breather had never been so appealing.
But I'd only be cheating me. The whole point I was up so early (zzzz) was to get stronger and fitter. The whole point of me going to a class with a trainer was so I would do WAY more than if I just came to the gym on my own (which would look like a leisurely row and cross-trainer session whilst watching telly, btw!). So there was actually no point in me cheating as I'd only be cheating myself...
And isn't life like that all the time? You know when you procrastinate, or 'put off' doing your Thing? Perhaps you don't say "Yes" to something because it might be hard or hard work, or you're nervous. What are the opportunities you've missed because you cheated on yourself and took the easy way out? Or just said "No"?
Now, I am not suggesting you have to start training for Iron Man competitions (I'm certainly not!), or saying "Yes" to huge projects that are absolutely beyond where you are now. But what I am saying is why not do all those 'little things' that add up? Do the lunges instead of walking. Send the extra emails, make the video, run the class, show up on Facebook, submit that article... all these little things will add up to your Thing being a lot bigger. Don't cheat on the little stuff and the big stuff will happen.*
* I am still working on my six pack... but my thighs are looking better!
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