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getting motivated
21/01/2016
At Best Practice, we are big on behaviour change and we like to use every little psychological trick in the book to achieve it. When it comes to the best tricks, I look at how games are designed and then use the addictive nature of such ingenious methodology to mould the action of clients towards the ‘good’ habits, as opposed to the numerous bad ones we form, seemingly without even trying. And you know what, I think that last point is key – ‘without even trying’. When I finish a workout now, I almost can’t wait to tick the box in our systems that says, in graphical form, “hey you got something done pal”. My little calendar, which is easily accessible on my smart phone displays a little orange man on the day when ever I have completed a workout. As simple as that is, the accumulation of little men means I know at a glance that I am active in that week, and I will do almost anything to make sure I can tick the box that means I get a little icon to show up. I guess another big reason this works is because ‘being active’ is one of my KPI’s for a good life and like anyone, I want a good life. We use this method with our clients and members because it is easier to drive new behaviour with the simple rather than the complex. You should give it a go. Even a simple walk get’s you a tick and an orange man. Our two group […]
08/07/2015
We make a living by what we get. We make a life from what we give. – Winston Churchill. I believe the best thing you can ‘give’ is a great example. I am thinking specifically here about family and health. In health and fitness, it is all about a getting into a consistent routine. When you can display this in your own life, you will start to see it multiply around you. Your kids will model what you do. Have you ever heard the saying “I can’t hear your words because your actions are screaming so loudly”? If you are wondering why your kids aren’t getting outside to play whilst all you ever do is crack a beer and slouch down on the couch, then maybe it is time to think what kind of picture you are giving them of life. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed and all you ever do is give. Well, the idea that charity starts at home is well worth considering. When was the last time you gave something to yourself? When did you last carve out some ‘you time’? I have mentioned this concept before. You are no good to anyone if you are feeling this way. You need to factor in some ‘energy up’ time. Let’s also not forget recovery and recuperation. It is a salient point that the most gains in fitness happen when you are NOT doing anything. But of course you have to do the ‘something’ first! So harking back to the wise words of Winston… You can make your own […]
18/06/2015
Sometimes when it comes to change, it can seem overwhelming. Paralysis by analysis. Sometimes it feels like that the job is just too big… When members come to us with this feeling, I like to break it down to one thing only because this focus allows positive movement. I always ask what is the one behaviour that you know you need to change and are 99.9% sure you can achieve in the next week? I tell them to make it such an easy thing that success is assured. This is where confidence starts to build. Each week, you start to add just one more thing. I feel that it is good advice in all aspects of a change program whether it be rehabilitation, a new nutritional plan or the start of a serious transformation. The longest journey starts with but a small step. There is often much wisdom and truth in the age old clichés. When I was playing tennis, the one thing that helped get me in the zone (which unfortunately often wasn’t enough) was when I could focus, not on the one tournament I was in or the one match ahead or even the one game I was playing. It wasn’t even the one point….. it was the one hit. This laser focus allowed me to get into the moment and just enjoy the process of playing the game. It stopped me from the “what if’s” and the fear that comes with the territory of an outcome focus. This is because there are just so many things you […]
01/06/2015
NO ONE REALLY WANTS TO EXERCISE… Seriously, who would want to put their body through pain like that? The answer of course is no one but plenty of people do it. WHY? WHY? WHY? Why do people exercise? Glad you asked! As with most things in this life, it is not about the thing, it is about the stuff associated with the thing. Let me explain. I’ll make another statement: No one really wants a Ferrari either. WHAT? Of course I do I hear you cry. No you don’t, what you really want is the ‘experience’ of owning a Ferrari, the admiring glances as the engine squeals when you gun it at a busy intersection in the crowded city and then how that makes you feel. Or it is the rush that the blind acceleration causes in your body and the joy you get in seeing that exhilaration in your better half next to you in that shiny red car? It is the same with exercise. What everyone is looking for is not the burn in the thighs or the thumping heart (no kidding!), it is the way it makes you feel when you start to experience the results of your hard work. It is the satisfaction you experience when you walk easily up that hill that used to be hard, it is the praise you receive from your workmates when they notice the new definition in your arms, it is how attractive you feel when your better half compliments you on how healthy you look. If you can really […]
07/04/2015
Before you can start any of this fitness stuff you must outline in detail your reasons for doing it or wanting to change. You must feel it as strongly as your desire to achieve anything that you have ever considered important in your life, whether it was study, work, relationship, spiritually or financially related. You must connect with your reasons emotionally. It has to move you deep inside. That’s kind of heavy I know but very necessary, because without it, your chances of achieving anything new are slim. You really only can get away with will power for a short period of time. So picture what it is you want and use as much detail as you can. ‘Hear’ what it is you will hear when you have achieved what you are after. It might be that you are really looking forward to hearing people say to you things like “wow, what have you been doing lately? You look great!” Or perhaps it’s about what it is going to ‘feel’ like when you pull on those jeans that you wore when you were 20. Or maybe you respond better to the joy you will experience when you ‘see’ yourself in photographs, literally radiating health. What ever it is, use what is most effective for you (perhaps use all three modalities – or more if you can think of them – maybe you can ‘smell’ fitness?). But the critical aspect is that you connect with it enough to be able to call it out when you feel side-tracked or challenged to […]