Stop chasing perfection. Start today.
You’re stuck in park and trying to shift into fifth.
You’re probably aware by now that the most common reason for not exercising is a lack of time. People, and especially parents, feel like they do not have enough of it.
That all makes sense when you factor in work, dinner, commutes, extra curricular activities and bed time routines. However, as we’ve pointed out in previous posts, you can still probably find the time to workout 2-3 times per week if you take an objective look at how you’re structuring your days.
What I want to talk about today is a more ambiguous sensation that people experience when they’re contemplating the start of their fitness journey. Some people can find the time to exercise, but still won’t because they’re awaiting perfection.
Perfection is maybe the most insidious term someone can use when trying to navigate through life because it is simply impossible to achieve. You might not be using the literal word “perfection” when describing the environment or state of life that you’re awaiting before starting.
You might instead say things like:
I’m just waiting until after the holidays
I’m just waiting until the kids go back to school
I’m going to start in the New Year
I’m going to start once I get new shoes
I’m going to start once I get new workout clothes
I’ll start going to the gym when I’m less busy
If you’re someone who’s been putting off getting to the gym, you probably have your own sayings or thoughts that are preventing you from starting.
While you might feel a slight bump in motivation from buying the new shoes, or from waiting until you’re stuffed with sweets after the holidays, you’re not going to have that overflowing sensation of commitment that you think.
The thing that actually boosts motivation and inspiration is action and momentum. I believe that when we are waiting for the perfect time or scenario to start, we are subconsciously thinking that we aren’t going to have to go through the struggles of the beginning stages of working out.
It’s like thinking you can shift into the fifth gear out of park. It’s just not possible.
No matter when you start or what you buy to help you begin, you are going to have sore muscles for the first two weeks. You’re going to be weak, you’re going to be slow, and you’re going to question if you can really push forward with this.
This rush of thoughts that you will experience though is just what happens when you’re in first gear. You are no longer parked, and you do have momentum, but you still can’t speed along in the way you envisioned. Again though, you have momentum, and that's what matters.
If you continue and stay in motion, you will work through first gear, and you will make it to second. If you stay at it long enough, you will get to fifth, but you can’t put that car back in park.
I think that’s what really scares people and why people wait for the “perfect time”. Once you start, there’s no going back. But putting things off won’t make you more committed. It all comes down to keeping the momentum once you start moving.
The point I want you to understand is that moving slowly and imperfectly is better than sitting idle, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent the unglamorous beginning stages of your fitness journey.
The shoes won’t help, the new clothes won’t help, and neither will waiting for the right time. The right time is today, and you’re the only one who has the keys to the car.
If you’re someone who’s been waiting to start but doesn’t know where to begin, you should check out our free 4-week strength training program.
This is a completely free 20 page PDF with great resources and 4 weeks of progressive strength training that will get you from the couch to moving real weights.
You can spend forever waiting for the perfect moment and you will never find it. You have to put the keys in the ignition, start the car, get it out of park, and shift through the gears.
You can do it, and we can help you out at Arbre Strength, so don’t wait any longer. No more perfection, just action and momentum!
All the best,
Joey Ricottone
