The Zen Mind
I have been in the coaching and fitness world training people of all ages for more than two decades. I have supported people in getting stronger, making a lasting life change, losing weight, and reaching their goals whether in health and wellness or other areas of their lives. What I know is that the physical side of training is usually the easy stuff to work on, and it’s our mindset that can be the most challenging and can get in the way of reaching our goals.
I am sure more than one of you has had that little negative voice of self-doubt speak up when you are trying to reach a goal. Let’s take running. The voice may sound like this, “I am not going to be able to do this! I must be crazy. What happens if I fail? I am just not fast enough.” First, know that you are not alone. We all bump up against self-doubt sometimes. But, there are things you can do that will quiet that not-so-supportive voice and will help you to feel more peace and ease when you are stepping into unchartered waters towards reaching your goal. I call this stepping into a Zen mind. A Zen mind is a state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. So instead of wasting needed energy on your disempowering thoughts (which affects you physically), you can gain energy by focusing on what you are inspired by and what empowers you. When you are in a positive mindset, your physical body will feel stronger and more powerful.
Here are a few ways you can get into the Zen mind:
- Vision: Let’s use training for a race… I want you to see all the positive outcomes of you committing to this race. Are you feeling stronger, more connected to your health, inspired by what you have already achieved? What do you want to gain from this experience? Create a picture of your end results. Whether you write it down, or just create it in your mind, come back to the inspiring vision or picture often during your training.
- Be in the moment. Stay present with where you are in your goal and trust the process as the schedule unfolds.
- Meditation: Take time to breathe, before, during, or after any activity or task at hand. This also will help you de-stress and release any anxiety you may be carrying. Focus on taking deep cleansing breaths which will create more peace, physically and mentally, bringing your body and mind together.
- Intention: set an intention for how you want to feel for any job or activity you need to complete… Maybe it’s powerful or maybe it’s strong. You can just fill in the blank. “On today’s run or for this meeting, I want to experience ____________.” You can set different intentions for every hour or task you need to complete.
- Gratitude: Please, please acknowledge yourself and others around you. It’s amazing how we can shift at any moment by thinking of all that you have to be grateful for.
So, let go of the unpleasant, self- doubting voice. It is not bringing ease into your process but only costing you in a variety of ways. Try putting even one of these strategies into practice you will begin to step into your Zen mind and experience the benefits of training with empowerment.
