We are a week into the 10K class in Run Your Best Life, and I am really loving how everyone is showing up like gangbusters for this class!
It’s so much fun to be surrounded by women that are working hard on improving their lives through running AND through managing their minds. It’s a powerful combination and you can’t help but feel energized when everyone around you is focused on achieving their goals—and helping others do the same.
But let’s get one thing clear—nobody in this group is perfect. We ALL make mistakes. And that’s OK (in fact, I think it’s pretty awesome).
We have one rule in Run Your Best Life: WE DON’T DO PERFECTION.
Failure is encouraged
Mistakes, fuckups, and failures are encouraged. Why?
Because that’s how you grow. That’s how you learn. That’s how you become a more resilient human.
Messing something up—whether it’s at home, work, or on the treadmill—is a sign that you’re DOING something.
You know who never fails? People who don’t try.
The only problem with failure is when we use it as a reason to beat ourselves up. Or a reason to avoid trying something.
I once had a conversation with my bestie about her weight. She told me that she wasn’t getting on her scale because she knew she’d gained a lot of weight. And if she saw the number, she’d have to be mad at herself for gaining it.
I was legit confused.
Why do you HAVE to be mad at yourself?
She said because it would mean she’d failed at being thin.
Because failure means you’ve done something wrong, something to be ashamed of.
This breaks my heart into a million pieces.
Thoughts vs. circumstances
Failure is a thought.
I have failed. This is a thought.
The circumstance is your weight, or getting pulled off a race course at mile 11, or not getting a promotion at work.
Those things are neutral until you apply a judgment to them.
You can make them mean anything you want.
If you choose to think, “I have failed,” you might feel ashamed. Embarrassed. Defeated.
And when you feel that way, how do you show up for yourself?
You hide. You avoid trying again. And you beat yourself up for not being perfect.
I like to make failure mean that I showed up for myself.
I see it as evidence that I’m moving forward, growing, and evolving.
Sometimes I get frustrated and annoyed. Sometimes I wish things would happen faster.
But I never make failure mean that I’m not OK.
What do you make failure mean about yourself?
xoxo,
Jill
PS – If you want help working on your thoughts about failure—and to become a stronger runner in the process—join us in Run Your Best Life today!
