Monday, May 7, 2012

Make an Appointment with Your Best Self....and keep it!

I train kettlbells on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays....without fail. I train on Tuesdays starting at 6:15am, Thursdays, starting at 5:30am and Saturdays starting at 6:45...without fail. I practice yoga on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays....whoops...do I?  Am I consistent?  What time do I schedule my yoga?  Oh, that's where the problem lies!  I have too many choices, I mean, I give myself too many choices as to which yoga class time fits best into my morning.  Giving myself too many choices to "put it off" lets procrastination set in, and then I "get busy" doing other things.  But in my defense I almost always make it to the last class my schedule will allow...I'm hating it because it's late and I'm hungry, but I can usually force myself to go, because at that point I have no choice.

Lately though I've had to make a few other appointments, like the eye doctor, a haircut, etc and I scheduled them in the morning. Why would I do that?  Because with the best of intention I figured I could make it to an earlier yoga class still giving me enough time to get to these additional appointments.  I'm 50% successful.  The other 50%?  It seems as if I've let my priorities slip, or I'm not planning enough in advance to be successful at keeping my promise to myself.  The promise of being my best self.  There truly is enough time because we can make time.

I know a lot of people have kids involved in sports, and those kids have to show up for practice, or they don't get to play in the game, right?  Parents are usually really good at getting those kids to practice and where they need to be, and when they need to be there.  As adults our training, our exercise, is our practice!  Pick a day (s) and a time (s), and without fail get your ass to practice!  We want for our kids to be superstar athletes, and we know practicing a sport or skill is key to improvement, but maybe we forget, or think it's too late for, our own wanting to feel like a superstar.

As a Kettlebell Instructor I teach a number of classes as well as meet with a number of private appointments.  When I ask my clients/students whether or not they made time to train during the week I don't see them more times than not the answer is no!  Nope.  They didn't make time to train, to exercise, or to practice not one other time.  Really?  Why not?  So I started to think about the answer to that question.

They didn't do it for the same reason my yoga practice is slipping.  They probably gave themselves too many choices until it was too late!  Procrastination.  Procrastination is intention without action.  We've talked about this before, haven't we?

Make time.  Schedule it.  No choices.  No forgetting. Write it down as if it were an appointment and keep it.

OK, so what is your new schedule?

21 comments:

montanaroadrunner said...

Appointments scheduled. Thanks for the ever so gentle remonders. Happy Swinging.

montanaroadrunner said...

Appointments are scheduled for this week. Thanks fo rthe gentle remonders and Happy Swinging.

guy said...

Procrastination grows from indecision...I used to be indecisvie...buy now I'm not so sure! ;(

Tracy Reifkind said...

Montana huh? Cool! Are in Montana, or do you just like montana? Or something else?

I did make it to 10:00am yoga, with time to spare!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Funny guy!

Ape said...

Thank you tracy!! You inspire me and i love your knowledge! Im heading to rkc next weekend and learning to schedule my.workouts and date nights has been essential and very beneficial for me. :)

neca said...

I was having a hard time getting my k-bell workouts in. Since we have a small fitness center at work with a couple of tvs and dvd players, I brought in a copy of your "Give and Take" video and a kettlebell. Three days a week I have a lunch appointment on my calendar with "Tracy." No need to think - you've already designed the workout. All I have to do is show up and swing!

Unknown said...

So true! I know I have to write my workouts in my daytimer and make sure that I start my workouts before 10 AM. If not, I won't feel like it later and it just won't get done. I like you, Tracy. You're a straight shooter! ;)

Keturah said...

You know... it's been a long time since you and I chatted or I even left a comment on your blog. Not sure if you remember me or not. BUT I sure remember you, Tracy dearest! And imagine my complete surprise in seeing your name on Amazon.com...cause you published an awesome book!

Catching up on your blog and loving every tenacious, wise, and beautiful word. You still put the fire in my fitness and food routines with every one of your posts!!! :)

Haven't swung a kettlebell in a while, but had to come to your blog and see what you're up to. Miss ya, love ya, and so thrilled for you, girl!

-Keturah

Necia said...

Very timely. I made appts with myself for the rest of this week, earlier today. Mon/Wed/Fri - Kbell's and Tue/Thurs/Sat/Sun - running.

Diana said...

I think too that if "it's" important to us, we will make the time. For instance...I have 26.2 staring me in the face. What's important to me is getting that finisher medal hung around my neck, so I will wake up at 3:30am to get a quick run or kb workout in before then going off to work a 12 hour shift.
Just as getting the RKC was priority to me, I did what I had to (with some of the best help out there (AKA: Tracy style)to get it done)and it got done.
Right now I just want to sit and catch up on blogs and facebook, but my calendar has this day as a run day.......so I'm off!
There is no procrastination in my life.....

Tracy Reifkind said...

Ape, sure thing! Have fun at the RKC...oops, you're there now!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Neca,

I repeat that workout so many times in so many different ways and I never tire of it!

Thinking about doing a couple of more DVD's but trying to gauge interest. Do you think DVD's are quickly becoming a thing of the past?

Tracy Reifkind said...

Kelsey,

Ah, you have no idea just what kind of straight shooter I am! I would love to be the Dr Laura / Susan Powter / Richard Simmons of diet and training! (I'm getting there!)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Keturah! Of course I remember you! Funny how I used to think a book was in my future, but really I had no idea what that meant....I could not have planned it if I tried!

Welcome back!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Necia,

Seriously, I write these posts as a reminder to myself. I've got to get a few other "training appointments" on my calender. Spending too much time swinging!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Diana,

Yep! My KB training is #1 priority, but I love it so much it's never in jeopardy. that's why I do it before the crack of dawn. Yoga on the other hand...if I'm cold and stiff, the last thing I "feel" like doing is yoga!

Debbie said...

A comment about your thinking of more DVD's.....Personally, I LOVE THEM. I also have the Give and Take DVD. My daughter and I love it! YES, yes, yes!!! More DVD's

Tracy Reifkind said...

Debbie,

Thanks for you input about DVD's. I've been thinking more about that, although the original thoughts were about webcasting my classes. Something will happen, and it will happen this year.

neca said...

I love the dvds and I'll tell you why: I've read your blog (starting with the old one) for years. I have your book. You've "taught me how to fish" when it comes to creating k-bell workouts. But there are times I'd rather you serve me the fish. :-)

I'm busy and tired and I don't (always) want to engage my brain. I am happy to buy a video and have the workout laid out - all I have to do is show up and swing the bell. having the video helps ensure I have no excuses for not working out!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Neca, great! I hear what you are saying and I agree about having someone else tell you what to do! that's why people come to my classes! This could be exciting again...training is so much fun!